Cricket has always had a special place for young talent. We've seen legends emerge from the grassroots, and now there's a new name creating ripples across Indian cricket circles—Vihaan Malhotra. If you haven't heard of him yet, you're about to. This 17-year-old schoolboy from Delhi is being called the next big thing, and IPL franchises are already keeping tabs on him. But who exactly is Vihaan Malhotra? What makes him so special? And could he really be the breakout star of IPL 2026? Let's dive deep into the story of this rising cricket prodigy.

The Rising Star: Who Is Vihaan Malhotra?

Vihaan Malhotra is a right-handed opening batsman and occasional off-spinner from Delhi, currently playing for his school and age-group cricket in the capital. Born in 2008, Vihaan has been making headlines in junior cricket circuits for his mature batting technique, exceptional temperament, and ability to play long innings under pressure.

He represents Delhi in the under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy and has been a consistent performer in age-group tournaments across North India. What sets him apart is not just his runs, but the manner in which he scores them—calm, composed, and with a technique that reminds many of classical Indian batsmen.

Vihaan comes from a cricket-loving family. His father played club cricket in Delhi, and his mother has been his biggest supporter, managing his training schedules while ensuring he doesn't miss his board exams. It's this balance between academics and cricket that makes his story even more relatable and inspiring.
 

Journey from School Cricket to National Attention

Vihaan's cricket journey began at the age of seven when he joined a local cricket academy in South Delhi. Coaches immediately noticed his hunger to learn and his ability to watch the ball closely—a rare trait in young batsmen who often try to hit everything out of the park.

By the time he was 13, Vihaan was already captaining his school team and scoring heavily in inter-school tournaments. His breakthrough moment came during the Delhi Under-16 trials in 2023, where he scored back-to-back centuries and earned a spot in the state squad.

In the 2024-25 season, playing in the Cooch Behar Trophy, Vihaan showed his class with multiple half-centuries and a brilliant 142 not out against Haryana. That knock caught the attention of IPL scouts and former cricketers who were commentating on the youth circuit.
 

Playing Style and Strengths

Vihaan Malhotra is an old-school batsman in many ways. He doesn't believe in unnecessary aggression or flashy strokes early in his innings. Instead, he builds his game around solid defense, smart shot selection, and the ability to accelerate when needed.

His strength lies in playing pace bowling with a straight bat. He's excellent against swing and seam, often leaving balls outside off-stump with confidence. Against spin, he uses his feet well and isn't afraid to come down the track to hit over the top.

As a fielder, Vihaan is athletic and has a strong throwing arm. He's often positioned at cover or mid-off, where he can cut off boundaries and create run-out opportunities.

His off-spin is more of a support skill, but he's been effective in junior cricket, often breaking partnerships by bowling tight lines.
 

Why IPL Franchises Are Watching Him

The IPL has always been a platform where young Indian talent gets discovered and nurtured. Franchises invest heavily in scouting systems that monitor age-group cricket, and Vihaan Malhotra has been on their radar since late 2024.

Several IPL teams sent scouts to watch him during the Cooch Behar Trophy matches. His ability to handle pressure, play match-winning knocks, and adapt to different conditions has impressed many.

While there's no official confirmation yet, cricket insiders suggest that franchises like Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals—teams known for backing young Indian talent—could be interested in picking him up during the IPL 2026 mega auction.

If Vihaan continues his form and gets selected for India Under-19 team for the 2026 World Cup cycle, his IPL stock will rise even further.
 

Comparisons and Influences

Every young cricketer gets compared to established stars, and Vihaan is no exception. Many have drawn parallels between his batting style and that of Shubman Gill—both share a classical technique, elegance, and the ability to shift gears smoothly.

Vihaan himself has mentioned in interviews that he idolizes Virat Kohli for his consistency and mental toughness, and Rahul Dravid for his technique and approach to the game. He also follows Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent success closely, finding inspiration in how another young Indian batsman broke into the international scene.
 

Challenges Ahead

While the hype around Vihaan is real, it's important to remember that he's still a teenager with a long journey ahead. The jump from school cricket to IPL is massive, and many talented youngsters have struggled with the pressure and expectations.

Vihaan will need to keep performing consistently at higher levels—first in domestic age-group cricket, then in tournaments like Duleep Trophy or Ranji Trophy if he gets the opportunity. Staying injury-free, managing academic commitments, and handling media attention will also be crucial.

The biggest challenge will be mental. Young cricketers often face burnout when thrust into the spotlight too early. Vihaan's support system—his family, coaches, and mentors—will play a vital role in keeping him grounded.
 

What Experts Are Saying

Former Indian cricketer and Delhi Ranji Trophy coach has been quoted praising Vihaan's temperament and technique in local cricket forums. Youth cricket analysts have highlighted his ability to play long innings, something modern cricket often lacks.

Cricket commentators covering junior tournaments have noted that Vihaan doesn't look out of place even when facing older, more experienced bowlers. His footwork against spin and patience against quality pace bowling have been specifically appreciated.
 

Fantasy Cricket Angle: If He Plays IPL 2026

Let's imagine Vihaan gets picked in the IPL 2026 auction and plays regularly. Here's how you should approach him from a fantasy cricket perspective:

Safe Picks: If he bats in the top three, he's a safe pick for points through runs and consistency.

Captain & Vice-Captain Choices: As a debutant, making him captain would be risky. Better to use him as a differential pick or vice-captain in small leagues if he's batting in a strong team.

Risky Picks: In his initial matches, he might take time to settle. Avoid making him captain in his first 2-3 games.

Small League vs Grand League: In small leagues, wait and watch his first few performances. In grand leagues, picking him early could give you an edge if he performs, as ownership will be low.

FAQs About Vihaan Malhotra

Q1: How old is Vihaan Malhotra? Vihaan Malhotra was born in 2008, making him 17 years old as of 2026. He's eligible for under-19 cricket and is being groomed for senior domestic cricket soon.

Q2: Which team does Vihaan Malhotra play for? Currently, Vihaan plays for Delhi in age-group cricket, including the Cooch Behar Trophy. He also represents his school in various inter-school tournaments.

Q3: Has Vihaan Malhotra been selected for IPL 2026? As of now, there's no official confirmation about his selection in IPL 2026. However, he's on the radar of several franchises and could be picked in the upcoming auction if he continues his strong performances.

Q4: What is Vihaan Malhotra's batting style? Vihaan is a right-handed opening batsman known for his classical technique, solid defense, and ability to build long innings. He's comfortable against both pace and spin.

Q5: Can Vihaan Malhotra play for India Under-19? Yes, Vihaan is eligible for India Under-19 team and is considered a strong contender for selection in upcoming series and the 2026 Under-19 World Cup cycle.

Q6: What makes Vihaan Malhotra special? His maturity, technique, temperament, and consistency at a young age make him stand out. He plays with a calmness that's rare in teenage cricketers.

Q7: Where can I watch Vihaan Malhotra play? You can catch him in action during Delhi's age-group matches, which are sometimes streamed on cricket boards' YouTube channels or covered by local sports media.

Conclusion

Vihaan Malhotra represents everything we love about cricket—a young kid with dreams, talent, hard work, and the courage to chase the impossible. While it's too early to predict whether he'll become the next big IPL sensation or an Indian cricket superstar, one thing is certain: he's on the right path.

The cricket world is watching, scouts are taking notes, and fans are beginning to learn his name. Whether he becomes the breakout star of IPL 2026 or takes a few more years to reach that level, his journey will be one worth following.

So keep an eye on this Delhi schoolboy. The next time you see the name Vihaan Malhotra flashing on your screen during an IPL match or an India Under-19 game, remember—you heard about him here first. Cricket has a beautiful way of turning dreams into reality, and Vihaan's story is just beginning to unfold.

Let's cheer for him, support him, and hope he becomes another success story in Indian cricket's incredible legacy.