NEW DELHI: A childhood dream is set to become a magnificent reality for young cricketer Vihaan Malhotra. At just nine years old, he told his coach Kamal Sandhu at the Cricket Hub Academy in Patiala, "Mujhe Virat Kohli jaisa banna hai. Main unke saath khelna chahta hoon" (I want to become like Virat Kohli and want to play with him). Back then, the kid had no inkling that his heartfelt words, burning desire, and ambitious dream would one day materialize into a tangible achievement.
The Dream Realized: Joining Kohli at RCB
Now 19 years old, Vihaan—who has been carving out a name for himself in the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe—is poised to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He will be sharing the dressing room, dugout, ground, and crease with his idol Virat Kohli in the highly anticipated IPL 2026 season. Vihaan was acquired for Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Coach's Perspective: A Journey of Admiration and Hard Work
Coach Kamal Sandhu expressed his joy and pride, stating, "Kya pata tha woh bolega yeh aur yeh ek din sach ho jaayega. I am really happy for him. Virat ki videos dekhta tha—uske shots, especially cover drive, isko achhe lagte the. He is also a fitness freak. He always admired Virat and tried to take everything from that legend’s book." Sandhu emphasized that playing at RCB will provide Vihaan with invaluable learning experiences, adding, "He is happy—really happy."
Under-19 World Cup Heroics
Vihaan has emerged as India's only centurion in the ongoing ICC Under-19 World Cup. His unbeaten hundred powered India to a comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe in their first Super Sixes match of the 2026 Under-19 World Cup in Bulawayo. India set Zimbabwe a daunting target of 353 before skittling them out for a mere 148 in just 37.4 overs.
Upon reaching his century, Vihaan leapt into the air, removed his helmet, stretched out his arms, and celebrated in a style that conveyed a clear message: "I can do anything." This mindset has been a hallmark of his career, as he has transformed from an opener to a versatile player ready to bat at any position, bowl effectively, pick up crucial wickets, tighten the noose around batters with his spin, and showcase acrobatic fielding skills.
Versatility and Preparation
Before his century against Zimbabwe, Vihaan also claimed four wickets and pulled off two breathtaking catches against Bangladesh, demonstrating his all-round capabilities. Coach Sandhu recalled, "Hamesha kehta hai, 'Sir, main kuch bhi kar lunga,' jab Under-19 World Cup ke liye ja raha tha. He has prepared himself like that. All I told him in the beginning was that if you have to stay in the team for long, then you need to be an all-dimensional player. You should know bowling too, and your fielding has to be brilliant."
Sandhu, who has also trained players like Prabhsimran Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, and Naman Dhir, elaborated on Vihaan's rigorous practice regimen: "He is a proper batter, but he has worked a lot on his bowling too. After batting for four-five hours, he shifts towards bowling and bowls almost seven-eight overs every day at the nets. With time, he has become a good spinner too. And then he signs off his practice session with some fielding drills and watching some of Virat’s videos."
Additional Coaching and Family Background
Vihaan also trained under Ravneet Ricky, a member of India's triumphant squad at the Under-19 World Cup in 2000 under Mohammad Kaif's captaincy. Ricky, who began coaching Vihaan in 2022, describes him as the team's crisis man: "He actually came to me in 2022, when I was the head coach of the Under-16 Punjab team. He was an opener. He has given up that position and made himself an 'any position' player. You send him in at any position or situation—he will deliver."
Ricky added, "I am really happy for him that he is going to share the dressing room with a legend like Virat Kohli this year at RCB. After the IPL, a more refined Vihaan will come through. He will have a different approach and mindset after talking to and spending time with Virat."
Impressive Performances and Family Support
The year 2025 proved highly impressive for Vihaan. He amassed 277 runs in two Youth Tests, including a knock of 120, and followed it up with 243 runs in five Youth ODIs, highlighted by a century in the fourth match. His family background adds an interesting dimension to his story. Hailing from a family of a doctor and an engineer, Vihaan was initially nudged towards similar professions.
His father Manoj Malhotra, an engineer, and mother Poonam Malhotra, a doctor, took their son to Sandhu to play cricket as a hobby, unaware that the boy had already decided his career path long ago. Coach Sandhu noted, "This is a very interesting story. They said, 'Coach saab, aap please cricket khilao. Mobile phones se door rahega khaali time mein.' He was excellent in academics too—almost 95 percent in his schooling. He is a dynamic kid, but he kept cricket at the top."
Sandhu emphasized Vihaan's dedication: "The moment he crossed 15, his mental strength was something to see. He used to give a lot of time to cricket. With time, he started giving all his time to cricket. I have seen him practising alone too. Coming in the morning around 11 and going back at night at 9 or 10 became his routine." The coach concluded by hinting at future plans, saying, "There are a lot of plans for IPL preparation. Let him come back—we will start those drills too."
