‘The kid is special’: Virat Kohli’s eyebrow-raising reaction to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 Orange Cap win revealed originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest recipient of the IPL Orange Cap in the 2026 season.
- The RR wonderkid scored 776 runs in the IPL 2026 campaign as his team reached the playoff stage.
- Virat Kohli’s unique reaction to Sooryavanshi winning the Orange Cap, revealed by former RCB teammate AB de Villiers.
How did Virat Kohli react to to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 Orange Cap win? AB de Villiers reveals
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi might have missed out on winning his maiden IPL title with RR after the franchise exited the IPL 2026 campaign from Qualifier 2 after losing against Gujarat Titans, but the young opening batter became the youngest recipient of the IPL Orange Cap.
Sooryavanshi scored a whopping 776 runs in this season and broke multiple records throughout the campaign. He also won as many as five awards, which include the Orange Cap and the IPL 2026 MVP prize.
The 15-year-old southpaw mesmerised everyone with his brilliant batting, including RCB and Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli, who had a unique reaction to Sooryavanshi winning the Orange Cap.
After RCB beat GT to win the IPL 2026 title, former RCB star AB de Villiers revealed how Virat Kohli reacted to Sooryavanshi winning the highest run scorer award.
VIRAT KOHLI × VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI 🥹🇮🇳
– The Present & Future of Indian Cricket. pic.twitter.com/yEpT1DC5NF
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 31, 2026
Broadcaster Mayanati Langer first said, “He’s gone and worn the cap that Virat signed for him, and he’s worn it in every single post-match press conference. He’s worn it every single day that we’ve seen him in the IPL. These words will be golden because what Vaibhav has achieved this season was inconceivable. We still don’t have words to fully comprehend it.”
To which De Villiers responded, “Do you want to know what Virat said? I did have a quick chat with Virat. As Vaibhav was walking on to receive his Orange Cap trophy, Virat turned to me and raised his eyebrows. That’s all he had to say to me.”
“He just went like this and said, ‘The kid is special.’ He’s going to need to work hard and not become lazy down the line and think everything is just going to happen. He needs good leadership. All of us have been saying that, but he just said, ‘Maybe the boy can play.’ So, let’s see. I think it’s pure magic.”
MORE: IPL 2026 Team of the Tournament: Best XI, captain, impact player ft. Sooryavanshi
IPL Orange Cap Winners: 2008–2026
The Orange Cap has been a symbol of batting excellence since the league’s inception. David Warner holds the record for the most wins (3), followed by Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli, who have won two each.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player ever to win the award in the 2026 campaign as he bagged the award at the age of just 15 years.
| Year | Player | Team | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Rajasthan Royals | 776 |
| 2025 | Sai Sudharsan | Gujarat Titans | 759 |
| 2024 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 741 |
| 2023 | Shubman Gill | Gujarat Titans | 890 |
| 2022 | Jos Buttler | Rajasthan Royals | 863 |
| 2021 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Chennai Super Kings | 635 |
| 2020 | KL Rahul | Kings XI Punjab | 670 |
| 2019 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 692 |
| 2018 | Kane Williamson | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 735 |
| 2017 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 641 |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 973 |
| 2015 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 562 |
| 2014 | Robin Uthappa | Kolkata Knight Riders | 660 |
| 2013 | Michael Hussey | Chennai Super Kings | 733 |
| 2012 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 733 |
| 2011 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 608 |
| 2010 | Sachin Tendulkar | Mumbai Indians | 618 |
| 2009 | Matthew Hayden | Chennai Super Kings | 572 |
| 2008 | Shaun Marsh | Kings XI Punjab | 616 |
MORE: Full List: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL 2026 awards
The Cricket News Opinion: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket
It seems Indian cricket might have its next big superstar as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shows early promise with a stellar IPL campaign in just his second season.
The teenager has the composure and talent to make it big in Indian cricket and he proved his talent by dominating world-class international bowlers throughout the IPL 2026 campaign.
If the player can remain consistent and keep his head together, Sooryavanshi could go places with the Indian team in the coming years.
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