'Just focus on your bat and yourself': Kohli's advice to Vaibhav after IPL heroics
Ahmedabad, June 3
India's charismatic batter Virat Kohli had a special word of advice for teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the IPL 2026 final, urging the youngster to stay focused on his game and continue striving for greater heights following a record-breaking season.
After RCB won their second consecutive final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. A video of the interaction between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru stalwart and the 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals prodigy went viral. Their conversation has finally been revealed by RCB in a video posted on their social media handles.
In the meetup, Kohli praised Sooryavanshi's work ethic and self-belief while reminding him to ignore outside noise and focus on his batting. The former RCB captain also advised the youngster to aim higher.
"You have to keep going higher from here. Whatever you've achieved is the result of your hard work and belief. Don't pay attention to who is saying what. Just focus on your batting and yourself. Ek Bihari sab par bhari," Kohli told Sooryavanshi.
The words from one of Indian cricket's modern greats came after a season in which Sooryavanshi established himself as the biggest breakout star of the tournament despite Rajasthan Royals missing out on the title.
It is worth mentioning that earlier in the IPL 2026 season, Kohli had given Sooryavanshi an autograph and signed his cap after the left-handed batter smashed the RCB bowlers all around the park in the contest at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
While Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained the IPL crown with a five-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans, Sooryavanshi emerged as the undisputed individual performer of the season, collecting five awards at the post-match presentation ceremony.
The teenager finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 776 runs to secure the Orange Cap and was named the Most Valuable Player as well as the Emerging Player of the Season.
He also claimed the Super Striker award after maintaining a remarkable strike rate of 237.31 and won the Super Sixes award by smashing a record 72 sixes during the campaign.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a cricket fan, this is the kind of guidance young players need. Kohli has seen it all—ups and downs—and his message about ignoring outside noise is gold. But let's also appreciate Vaibhav's hard work; 72 sixes at 237 strike rate is god-level stuff. Hope he stays grounded and keeps shining for India one day! 🙌
Great to see Kohli mentoring the next generation. I've followed IPL from the US, and Vaibhav's rise is incredible. But I wonder if the hype around a 15-year-old could be too much pressure? Hope RCB's win and Kohli's words keep him focused on his game rather than the spotlight.
Kohli's advice is perfect for today's young cricketers who get bombarded with social media and fame. Vaibhav's numbers are mind-boggling—5 awards in one season! But I hope the boards and coaches also protect him from overexposure. Let him enjoy his cricket, play 100% for the team, and grow naturally. Respect to both Kohli and Vaibhav! 🌟
This is why Kohli is not just a cricketer but a true leader. The way he took time to talk to a 15-year-old after losing the final (wait, RCB won actually) shows his humility. But honestly, Vaibhav's season was next-level—776 runs and 72 sixes at 17? That's not normal. Hope he remains this focused and doesn't fall into the trap of shortcuts. India's future is bright! 🔥
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