Vihaan Malhotra: The Virat Kohli Tragic with U-19 World Cup Dreams
In the heart of Patiala, a young cricketer's journey is unfolding, fueled by an unwavering admiration for Virat Kohli. Vihaan Malhotra, the stylish left-handed batsman representing India in the U-19 World Cup, is not just playing for his country; he is chasing a dream to emulate his idol. His recent century against Zimbabwe has turned heads, but behind the strokes lies a story of passion, family support, and relentless hard work.
From Home Wreckage to Cricket Stardom
Before Vihaan Malhotra began dismantling bowling attacks on the international stage, he was known for a different kind of destruction at home. His father, Manoj Malhotra, a Superintending Engineer in the Punjab Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, recalls with a chuckle how Vihaan would often break fans, tube lights, and even mirrors in his mother Dr. Poonam's private clinic. "Sometimes, he broke the fan or tube lights. Once, he broke the mirrors in his mother's private clinic," says Manoj, based in Patiala.
To channel this energy positively, his parents enrolled him at the Black Elephant Cricket Club, later moving to Cricket Hub Patiala in 2019. This decision marked the beginning of a transformation from a mischievous youngster to a disciplined cricketer. Coach Kamal Sandhu, who worked closely with Vihaan, highlights the early adjustments made to his technique. "We worked on rectifying his front foot going across as well as making his head still. He became confident playing vertical shots. As he grew, we worked on his bottom hand movement to add the horizontal shots," Sandhu explains.
Inspired by Kohli, Guided by Coaches
Vihaan's life revolves around cricket, with Virat Kohli serving as his ultimate inspiration. During his free time, he would watch Kohli's videos on loop, studying every move and shot. His father believes this dedication paid off during his century against Zimbabwe. "I am sure this hundred will remind him of how his idol had guided India to the title in 2008," Manoj says, drawing parallels to Kohli's own U-19 World Cup triumph.
Punjab U-19 coach Ranveet Ricky, a key figure in the 2000 U-19 World Cup win, sees shades of Yuvraj Singh in Vihaan's cover-driving. Ricky also recalls a memorable Vinoo Mankad Trophy match where Vihaan shepherded the lower order against Chandigarh, scoring 190 runs to nearly chase down a target of 300. "As Vihaan remained unbeaten today, it reminded me of that match," Ricky notes, emphasizing Vihaan's ability to perform under pressure.
Hard Work and Technical Refinement
The hard work behind Vihaan's success is evident in his statistics. In the Vijay Merchant Trophy, he amassed 978 runs at an average of 81.50, including a monumental 230 against Mumbai. His performances in Youth Tests and ODIs further showcase his talent, with 277 runs in two Youth Tests and 243 runs in five Youth ODIs, including a century at Worcester.
Coach Sandhu details the rigorous preparations undertaken before tournaments. "We made him face under-arm throws as well as face side-arm bowlers in open nets to improve his pull shots. He displayed that in England. For the U-19 World Cup, we knew that the pitches would offer bounce. So we worked the same," Sandhu says. This focus on technical refinement has made Vihaan a smooth operator on the field.
All-Round Contributions and IPL Aspirations
Beyond his batting prowess, Vihaan has also chipped in with the ball, taking a four-wicket haul against Bangladesh in a tense match. Sandhu recalls how he identified Vihaan's bowling potential early on. "When Vihaan started playing at the district level, I knew I had to make him bowl too. When asked to bowl off-spin, I observed how he got revolutions, using his index finger. Then we worked on his grip by making him bowl from a short distance as well as bowling with a hurdle," he explains.
Vihaan's talents have not gone unnoticed in the professional arena. Royal Challengers Bengaluru acquired him for Rs 30 lakh in the mini auction, a moment of pride for his family. His father shares a heartfelt memory: "As a kid, he watched Virat bat in Mohali stadium in the IPL. If he gets to bat along with Kohli, it will be a special moment for him." This aspiration adds another layer to his dream of lifting the U-19 World Cup, just like his idol did.
Looking Ahead: A Hero in the Making
As Vihaan Malhotra continues his journey in the U-19 World Cup, his story is one of inspiration and determination. From breaking household items to breaking records on the cricket field, his evolution is a testament to the support of his family and coaches. With Virat Kohli as his guiding star and a strong work ethic, Vihaan is poised to make his mark, hoping to not only win the U-19 crown but also share the crease with his hero in the IPL. The cricketing world watches with anticipation as this young talent from Patiala aims to write his own chapter in Indian cricket history.
