Jos Buttler hasn’t forgotten how Vaibhav Sooryavanshi broke English hearts; reminds RR ‘don’t get him too excited’

Jos Buttler met Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of GT's upcoming IPL 2026 clash vs RR, and hailed the young opener.

Updated on: Apr 3, 2026, 21:30:25 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Jos Buttler summed up his admiration for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi by calling him the 'best player' he has ever seen. In the past, Buttler has spoken about how Sooryavanshi left him stunned during the teenager's debut IPL season last year.

Jos Buttler interacts with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. (Instagram (Rajasthan Royals))

The Englishman was keeping wickets for GT against RR in the match where Vaubhav got a sensational 35-ball hundred, the fastest century by an Indian batter in the IPL. It also became the second-fastest IPL hundred overall, behind Chris Gayle.

Also Read: Ayush Mhatre pulled up for bat test, umpire’s error sparks bizarre chain of events; Clarke stunned: ‘Oh my god’

‘Best player I’ve ever seen': Jos Buttler

In a conversation with Rajasthan Royals team manager Romy Bhinder, with the 15-year-old also present, Buttler said, "I said don't get him too excited. I said the best player I've ever seen."

"Imagine when he is 21 or 25, world at his feet. So good to watch," said Buttler, shaking hands with Sooryavanshi.

"You broke English hearts in the U19 World Cup. It's awesome," continued Buttler.

The RR team manager also informed that Sooryavanshi once revealed that he wants to one day achieve trophies like Buttler.

"Playing so well, great to watch, keep it up. That freedom is so good to watch," Buttler concluded, speaking ahead of GT's upcoming clash vs RR.

Buttler, a former RR player, left the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, ending his seven-season tenure. He was not included in their retention list. During the auction, he joined GT for ₹15.75 crores.

In the past, Buttler was asked about Sooryavanshi on a YouTube podcast. Speaking to former England player Stuart Broad, he said, "It's inspiring and deflating at the same time. This guy's 20 years younger than me and he's just smashing us all around the park."

"But yes, absolutely like shockwaves throughout the sort of cricket world, I think, a 14-year-old guy getting picked out, that was the story wasn't it, he was in the auction as the youngest and Jimmy (Anderson) being the oldest in the age difference."

Recalling his record-breaking ton vs GT, Buttler said, "The innings against us, our bowling attack has Mohammed Siraj, brilliant international bowler, Prasidh Krishna, international bowler, Rashid Khan, best T20 bowler. And just the scale of the sixes, well, they're not just going over the boundaries, they were big sixes. And 35 ball 100, it was outrageous."

“He actually hit his first ball for six in the IPL. He played two or three games, I think before he played against us. So first ball he's ever faced in the IPL, he sort of gave himself a bit of room and smacked it over wide long off for a six and that fearlessness and I think I love these guys out there no,” he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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