Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the reason RCB ended their winning streak, while Rajasthan Royals built it further, as the hosts walloped the Rajat Patidar-led side at the ACA Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati, in Match 16 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Sooryavanshi, who hit a thunderous 78 off just 26 balls, won the Player of the Match for his exceptional power-hitting.
However, what made the night even more special was former RCB captain and star cricketer Virat Kohli himself came up to Vaibhav and signed his match cap as a gesture of appreciation for the 15-year-old’s mind-boggling display with the bat in a knock that included eight fours and seven sixes. RR posted a video where Sooryavanshi was seen flaunting his cap signed by the legendary cricketer.
Watch the video of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s cap signed by Virat Kohli here
Sooryanshi received the Player of the Match award and said that he did not have any plans on cutting a cake on Friday night, since RR had to take an early morning flight ahead of their next game in Hyderabad. He further said that facing the toughest bowlers in the world like Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar does not bother him a lot, as he simply plays the ball on its merit and does not fret over who is delivering it.
“(On if he will be cutting a cake, having not done so on his birthday due to sleeping early) Not today (laughs). Have to sleep early today because we have an early flight tomorrow (smiles). I just try to do what I do in practice and try not to do extra and back my natural game. (On facing Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood) In the back of the mind, it is there (on who is bowling). I try to play the ball and not the bowler and play my game,” the Samastipur-born said at the post-match presentation.
1️⃣5️⃣ years of age. 1️⃣5️⃣ deliveries for a half-century 🤯
🎥 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi taking on the best in the business with ease 🤌
What a special talent 💎
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“My dad, my coaches, my guardian Romi Sir here – they keep telling me that the journey is long and to focus on my process and my game without diverting my mind to different things. (On his disappointment at getting dismissed) If I am at the wicket, 10-20 runs extra can be scored or a target can be chased (1-2 overs earlier). That is what I get upset about – that I could play a little longer,” he concluded.
