Young Indian batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi has talked about his memorable conversation with Virat Kohli after the IPL 2026 season. The 15-year-old player expressed his gratitude for the encouragement he received from the former India captain and described the meeting as a special moment in his young career.
Suryavanshi scored 776 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.50 and a strike rate of 237.30 during the IPL 2026 season. He won the Orange Cap and Most Valuable Player awards. His first international assignment will begin with a two-match T20I series against Ireland, followed by a five-match T20I series in England.
It felt like a dream come true – Vaibhav Suryavanshi at the behest of Virat Kohli
Vaibhav Suryavanshi talks about his conversation with Virat Kohli after the IPL 2026 season. The teenage batsman said it was a special moment for him and added that it felt surreal to receive encouragement from a player he always admired.
“When Virat Kohli bhaiya put his hand on my shoulder like that, it really felt like a dream come true for me,” Vaibhav said in a video shared by Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Twitter.
Inside Royals: The Vaibhav Suryavanshi Interview. Tomorrow at 11 am pic.twitter.com/K5Qtvj4Eo2
– Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) June 6, 2026
The moment came as Royal Challengers Bangalore won their second consecutive IPL title. Although the Royals were eliminated in Qualifier 2, Suryavanshi enjoyed a memorable season, winning the Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker of the Season and Most Valuable Player awards.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi eyes multiple IPL titles with Rajasthan Royals
Vaibhav Suryavanshi said that he wants to help Rajasthan Royals win many IPL titles in the coming years. The young batsman admitted that the individual awards would have felt more special had the team won the trophy.
“If we had not lost the last match, I would not be sitting and watching today. To achieve all these things after winning… it would have been top notch. When will the second trophy come? Hopefully, not just the second trophy, but also the second, third, fourth and fifth trophy in the coming years.”
Suryavanshi became the youngest player to win the Orange Cap in IPL history during the 2026 season. He also hit a record 72 sixes, breaking the previous record of Chris Gayle.
I want to play teed-ball cricket because… – Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Suryavanshi said that he wants to play all three formats for India and have a long international career. The young batsman revealed that he regularly practices with the red ball and hopes to make a mark in every format of the game.
“I want to play red-ball cricket because I practice with the red ball. So, my dream is to play in all three formats. I want to play in a way where it is not just about playing but about dominating for 10 or 20 years.”
Suryavanshi is currently touring Sri Lanka with the India A team to improve his red ball skills. After the tour, he will be included in India’s squad for the upcoming white-ball series in Ireland and England as well as the Asian Games.
Also read: Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence after dismissal from India’s T20I captaincy and dismissal from the team
