Jos Buttler Gifts Bat to Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After IPL Clash

Jos Buttler gifted his bat to 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the IPL 2026 match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans on May 9, 2026, in a gesture that highlighted the teenager's growing reputation. Sooryavanshi, who scored 36 off 16 balls with a strike rate of 225, earned praise from the former England captain for his fearless batting display despite the team's defeat. Buttler had previously described Sooryavanshi as the best batter he had seen at that age, calling him 'so good to watch' and predicting a bright future. He referenced the teenager's U19 World Cup performances, including those against England, and encouraged him to maintain his freedom of play, a sentiment echoed in his post-match actions. Gujarat Titans posted 229/4 in their 20 overs, led by Shubman Gill's 84 off 44 balls and a 118-run opening stand with Sai Sudharsan. Rajasthan Royals were bowled out for 152 in 16.3 overs, with Rashid Khan taking key wickets to derail the chase after an aggressive start from Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel. Sooryavanshi's performance and Buttler's tribute have drawn attention to the emergence of a new young talent in Indian cricket. The IPL 2026 season continues with the next match scheduled for May 10, 2026.