Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shares Virat Kohli’s crucial advice after IPL 2026 final, says chat with the cricketing legend ‘felt like a dream’

The cricketing world's newest sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, has finally spoken about his much-talked-about conversation with Virat Kohli following the IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. RCB clinched their second consecutive title, but it was the exchange between the veteran and the teenage prodigy that captured everyone's imagination.

A Fanboy Moment Turned Reality

For Sooryavanshi, the interaction was nothing short of surreal. Having grown up idolising Kohli and supporting RCB, coming face-to-face with his hero left him starstruck. "To tell you the truth, when Virat bhaiya (brother) 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," Sooryavanshi said in a video shared by Rajasthan Royals.

Kohli's Words of Wisdom

The conversation went beyond mere pleasantries, with Kohli taking on the role of a mentor and offering the youngster meaningful guidance about his cricketing journey ahead. "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," baby boss revealed.

The Autographed Cap signed by Virat Kohli

Among the memorable takeaways from the evening, Sooryavanshi walked away with a Kohli-signed cap that has since become one of his most treasured belongings.

"I wore that cap a lot. When I didn't have the Orange Cap with me, I would wear that one," he said.

What Kohli Told the Teen Sensation

RCB's official channel also released footage shedding further light on the conversation between the two. Kohli encouraged Sooryavanshi to channel the same dedication and self-belief that had brought him this far, while also cautioning him against outside noise. "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," Kohli told Sooryavanshi.

The senior statesman signed off on a spirited note, saying, "Ek bihari sab pe bhari."

A Record-Breaking IPL Campaign

Sooryavanshi's IPL 2026 campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. The Rajasthan Royals opener accumulated 776 runs at a breathtaking strike rate of 237.31, surpassing Chris Gayle's long-standing record for the most sixes in a single IPL edition. He earned him five individual awards, including the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, and Super Striker honours, and ultimately led to a maiden call-up to the senior Indian national side.