After a sensational 78‑run blitz off just 26 balls that powered Rajasthan Royals past Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati, 15‑year‑old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi found himself on the receiving end of a rare, personal gesture from Virat Kohli. In a moment that quickly went viral, Kohli handed Sooryavanshi an autographed RCB cap with the simple but heartfelt message: “Dear Vaibhav, well done.”
The knock that prompted the note
Sooryavanshi’s innings, laced with eight fours and seven sixes and struck at an astonishing 300.0, effectively dismantled RCB’s bowling during the powerplay and the initial phase of the chase, helping RR chase down 203 with over two overs to spare. The 15‑year‑old’s fearless approach taking on top‑line quicks like Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood also pushed him to the top of the IPL 2026 run chart, earning him the Orange Cap as RR marched to four straight wins.
Kohli watched the onslaught from the field helpless but emerged after the match to acknowledge the teenager’s impact, embracing him and giving him the signed cap. Fans and commentators alike highlighted the symbolism: a legend of the game personally congratulating one of the youngest stars in the league, effectively anointing him in front of the world.
Why Kohli’s gesture stands out
Kohli’s handwritten note carries extra weight because of his well‑known, high‑intensity competitive streak; he has often been seen exhorting bowlers to “come on” and has rarely minced words when praising opponents’ performances publicly. Here, though, he chose a quiet, intimate form of recognition writing a few words on a cap and handing it to the youngster turning a crushing loss for RCB into a respectful moment of mentorship.
For Sooryavanshi, the message is more than a memorabilia piece; it is a validation from one of the most respected figures in the history of Indian cricket, conferred at the very start of what looks like an extraordinarily promising IPL career. Across social media, the “Dear Vaibhav” script has become shorthand for that crossover moment when a veteran star formally acknowledges a prodigy’s arrival on the big stage.
–Samuthiran
