Virat Kohli Praises Young Talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi After IPL Victory

In a recent IPL match, Virat Kohli expressed his admiration for young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the Rajasthan Royals defeated the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sooryavanshi's remarkable performance, scoring 78 runs off just 26 balls, earned him the Player of the Match award. Kohli's heartfelt message and autograph on Sooryavanshi's cap highlight the supportive spirit among players. The Royals continue their unbeaten streak in the tournament, while Sooryavanshi claims the orange cap as the top scorer. Discover more about this exciting match and the rising star's journey in cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 11, 2026, 09:50 IST

Match Highlights and Sooryavanshi's Performance

In a thrilling encounter on April 13, 2026, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli shared an encouraging message for the promising young player Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. This came after the Rajasthan Royals (RR) triumphed over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six wickets at the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. With this victory, the Royals maintained their unbeaten streak, marking their fourth consecutive win, while the defending champions faced their first defeat of the season. Sooryavanshi shone brightly, achieving his second half-century of the tournament in just 15 balls. The 15-year-old left-handed batsman was awarded the Player of the Match (POTM) for his explosive innings of 78 runs off only 26 balls, boasting an impressive strike rate of 300, including eight fours and seven sixes.

Kohli's Heartfelt Gesture

Virat Kohli Autographs Sooryavanshi's Cap

Following the match, Kohli took a moment to sign Sooryavanshi's cap, leaving a touching four-word note: 'Dear, Vaibhav. Well Done.' This gesture highlights the camaraderie and support among players in the league.

Sooryavanshi has also claimed the orange cap in the 2026 IPL, surpassing his teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal in the race for the top scorer. The young talent has amassed 200 runs in just four matches, averaging 50 with two half-centuries, and achieving a remarkable strike rate of 266.66.

Match Summary

In the match, RR won the toss after a rain delay and opted to bowl first. Despite a challenging start, the Bengaluru team managed to post a total of 201 runs, recovering from a precarious 94-6. Kohli began well but was dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi for 32 runs off 16 balls. The Royals successfully chased down the target with 12 balls remaining, with Dhruv Jurel leading the scoring with an unbeaten 81 runs off 43 balls.