Virat Kohli Celebrates IPL Victory While Mentoring Rising Star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

RCB Claims IPL 2026 Title

On May 31, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Virat Kohli, the star batter for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), was seen engaging in a conversation with the promising young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi following the IPL 2026 Final against the Gujarat Titans (GT).

RCB successfully defended their title, achieving a five-wicket victory over GT. Chasing a target of 156 runs, they secured the win with two overs remaining. Kohli played a pivotal role, scoring an impressive unbeaten 75 runs off 42 balls, which included 9 fours and 3 sixes, resulting in a strike rate of 178.57. Venkatesh Iyer contributed 32 runs off 16 balls, while Tim David added 24 runs off 17 balls, providing essential support during the innings.

Bowling Performance of Gujarat Titans

For GT, Rashid Khan was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 2 wickets for 25 runs in his four-over spell, maintaining an economy rate of 6.20. Other bowlers, including Arshad Khan (1/32), Mohammed Siraj (1/36), and Kagiso Rabada (1/44), also took wickets, but they were unable to halt the momentum created by Kohli and his teammates.

Kohli and Sooryavanshi's Viral Moment

During the celebrations of RCB's second consecutive IPL victory, a touching moment was captured between Virat Kohli and young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from Rajasthan Royals. Sooryavanshi was present at the high-stakes match in Ahmedabad.

Despite RCB's triumph, Sooryavanshi emerged as a standout player of the season, showcasing explosive batting and remarkable consistency throughout the tournament. A video that gained traction on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), showed Kohli conversing with Sooryavanshi before the award presentation.

In this interaction, Kohli appeared to congratulate Sooryavanshi on his impressive season while offering advice and encouragement, recognizing the significant impact the young player had on the tournament.

Sooryavanshi's Record-Breaking Season

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had a remarkable IPL season, breaking multiple records by scoring 776 runs, which included a century and five fifties, at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.30 across 15 matches. He finished as the highest run-scorer and was awarded the Orange Cap.

Although Rajasthan Royals' journey ended after their defeat in Qualifier 2 against GT, Sooryavanshi has established himself as a promising talent in Indian cricket, capable of challenging the best bowling attacks globally.

Sooryavanshi's Individual Accolades

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's extraordinary IPL 2026 season has led him to win several prestigious individual awards, concluding his second tournament campaign on a high note. He secured the Orange Cap, Emerging Player, Most Valuable Player, Super Striker, and Super Sixes of the Season awards, marking a clean sweep that highlights his dominance in the IPL 2026.

At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi has not only met the expectations surrounding his talent but has also set a high standard for future stars. His record-breaking performance has ignited discussions about his potential inclusion in the Indian national team.

As IPL 2026 wraps up, Sooryavanshi is set to participate in India A's ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, commencing on June 9, 2026.