The remarkable rise of Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been one of the biggest stories in Indian cricket over the past year. After a record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals (RR), the 15-year-old prodigy earned a maiden call-up to India’s senior T20I squad, completing a dream journey from teenage sensation to international cricketer.
While his performances on the field grabbed headlines throughout the season, one of the most memorable moments came after the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad. Following the title-winning victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) over Gujarat Titans (GT), Suryavanshi shared a heartwarming conversation with his childhood hero, a moment that has remained special for the young batter.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi opens up on special interaction with Virat Kohli
Speaking about the conversation, Suryavanshi admitted that meeting Virat Kohli felt surreal. Having grown up as a passionate RCB supporter and a huge admirer of the former India captain, the youngster found it difficult to believe that his idol was personally speaking to him after the final. According to Suryavanshi, Kohli approached him warmly and spoke in a manner that instantly made him feel comfortable despite the stature of the cricketing superstar.
“To tell you the truth, when Virat bhaiya put his hand on my shoulder… I used to be an RCB fan before. Actually, I was a very, very big fan of Virat Kohli. So when he put his hand on my shoulder and started talking to me, it actually felt like a dream. The way he spoke, it didn’t even feel like he was actually Virat Kohli. He spoke to me like an elder brother, explaining what I was doing well, what more I could do, what I should focus on, where I should direct my attention, and what I should aim for in the future,” Suryavanshi said in a video shared by Rajasthan Royals.
The Rajasthan Royals opener added that Kohli took the time to discuss various aspects of his game and future development. Rather than simply congratulating him on a successful season, the veteran batter offered valuable insights on areas where he could continue improving.
Kohli’s message to the teenage sensation
Footage released after the final shed further light on the advice Kohli shared with the youngster. The RCB star encouraged Suryavanshi to continue trusting the process that had brought him success while remaining unaffected by external opinions. The interaction has gained even greater significance given Suryavanshi’s rapid rise in Indian cricket. Suryavanshi also revealed that he received a signed cap from Kohli after the final, a gift that quickly became one of his prized possessions.
“You have to go even higher from here. Whatever you have achieved is because of your hard work and self-belief. Do not pay attention to who is saying what or how they are saying it. I wore that cap a lot. When I didn’t have the Orange Cap with me, I would wear that one,” he told Rajasthan team manager Romi Bhinder in an interview.
A season to remember for Suryavanshi
Suryavanshi’s IPL 2026 campaign was nothing short of historic. The left-handed opener amassed 776 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 237.31, finishing as the tournament’s highest run-scorer and claiming the Orange Cap. He also shattered the record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, smashing 72 maximums.
He also received multiple individual honours, including the Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker, and Super Sixes awards. With a maiden India call-up now secured and guidance from one of the game’s modern greats, Suryavanshi’s cricketing journey appears to be only just beginning.
