Following the conclusion of the high-stakes Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's batting maestro Virat Kohli shared a heartwarming moment with the tournament's breakout star, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals prodigy took the tournament by storm, amassing an incredible 776 runs to claim his maiden Orange Cap. Having won the coveted accolade multiple times himself, Kohli took the time to connect with the young opener after a grueling season defined by massive sixes and relentless 200+ team totals.
In a video captured at the Narendra Modi Stadium and later shared by RCB, the veteran stalwart can be seen offering some simple, straightforward advice to the teenage sensation. Rather than letting the youngster coast on his immediate success, Kohli earnestly urged Sooryavanshi not to rest on his laurels, emphasizing the immense dedication required to achieve sustained excellence at the highest level.
Yaha se upar jaana hai: Virat Kohli to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
This grounded guidance comes at a crucial time for Sooryavanshi, who has been the focal point of intense social media chatter since the season began. His explosive batting displays have been so impressive that several former Indian cricket greats have already called for his fast-tracked inclusion into the national T20I squad. Recognizing the immense pressure that comes with such rapid fame, Kohli’s ultimate piece of advice for the young batter was simple: block out the external noise and stay focused on the game.
"Yaha se upar jaana hai. Jo hua hai vo achi mehnat ki wajah se, belief ki wajah se hua hai. Abhi kaun kya bol raha hai, kaise bol raha hai.. (nahi sunna hai). Ek Bihari sab pe bhari, phir khatam game," Kohli said in the video.
Virat Kohli successfully steered Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) to claim the IPL trophy. But it was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who walked away with the lion's share of individual honors. The teenage opening batter enjoyed a truly historic campaign, completely rewriting the record books with his aggressive style of play. Most notably, he launched a staggering 72 maximums over the course of the tournament, setting a new all-time record for the most sixes hit in a single IPL season.
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's mayhem in IPL 2026
Sooryavanshi's batting dominance was reflected in both his incredible consistency and his unmatched scoring rate. He amassed his 776 runs at a phenomenal average of 48.50, while maintaining a jaw-dropping strike rate of 237.30 that left bowling attacks completely demoralized.