One of the greatest success stories of IPL 2026, young Rajasthan Royals batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi, revealed he has a lifelong RCB fan base. Since he was there representing the Rajasthan Royals, the reveal came while he was a Rajasthan Royals player, making his admission all the more special for the cricket fans.
When he spoke to the Rajasthan Royals franchise, the teenage ball-playing prodigy said his love for RCB was based on Virat Kohli and only Virat Kohli. For Vaibhav, Kohli has been his cricketing idol since the age of 7 and is still his biggest inspiration for the game.
“I have always been a fan of Virat Kohli, and because of him, I became a fan of RCB,” Vaibhav said during the interview. The young batter said that meeting Kohli after an IPL match was one of the most memorable moments in his cricket career.
Vaibhav recalled a conversation after a match between the Rajasthan Royals and RCB, when Kohli approached him and spoke to him in a warm and friendly manner. Never did he feel like he was talking to a global cricket superstar, he said. He felt he was speaking to an elder brother who genuinely wanted to help him grow and progress in the game and to become a better player.
Kohli’s humility and simplicity impressed the Rajasthan Royals star. Despite being one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world, Kohli was not superior to him, Vaibhav said. He described the former Indian captain as someone who gave him encouragement and pointed him to continue playing and get better at his game.
One of Vaibhav’s fond memories in the IPL was that he had an innings against RCB earlier in the season. Kohli gave him an autographed cap after that match. Whenever he did not wear the Orange Cap, he preferred the autographed cap given by his idol. The gesture further added to his respect for the Indian cricket legend.
Vaibhav’s rise in IPL 2026 has been nothing short of extraordinary. At just 15 years of age, he dominated experienced bowlers and emerged as one of the most exciting talents of the season. His fearless batting, maturity beyond his years, and ability to perform under pressure earned him widespread praise from former cricketers, experts, and fans alike.
Now the young sensation has made a name for himself in the Indian national team, and that has opened the door for him. With selection talks in full swing for the T20 series against Ireland and England now in progress, Vaibhav should soon make his international debut.
His emergence comes at a crucial time for Indian cricket. Virat Kohli is on his way to the final phase of his career, and the next generation of Indian cricket stars is in the making. Comparisons with a legend like Kohli are premature, but experts see Vaibhav Suryavanshi as one of the best to take Indian cricket to the next high level.
Vaibhav has exceptional talent; he has the potential to be a great fielder and one of the fastest-growing stars in Indian cricket in the future. If IPL performances are any indication, Indian cricket fans are going to see a new era in which a young star who grew up idolizing Virat Kohli is on the verge of creating his own legacy.
