Vihaan Malhotra Cricketer, When you talk about rising stars in Indian cricket, it doesn’t take long before the name Vihaan Malhotra comes up. He’s young, talented, and already making serious noise at the Under‑19 and domestic levels. From piling up runs in age‑group cricket to smashing a World Cup hundred and earning an IPL contract, his story looks like the classic modern‑day Indian cricket dream.
His standout performance in the Vihaan Malhotra Under-19 World Cup campaign, highlighted by a brilliant century and match-winning spells, firmly established him as one of India’s most promising young all-rounders.
Let’s walk through his journey, his game, and why so many people believe he could be India’s next big all‑rounder.
Early Life and Roots in Patiala
Vihaan Manoj Malhotra was born on 1 January 2007 in Patiala, Punjab—a city that breathes sport. If you know anything about Patiala, you know it has a proud history of producing elite athletes and a deep love for cricket. For a young kid like Vihaan, that environment was the perfect playground.
From the time he could hold a bat, cricket wasn’t just a hobby; it was a routine. Afternoons at local grounds, tennis‑ball matches, school tournaments—he was always around the game. Those early sessions weren’t about fame or records. They were about falling in love with the sport and learning the basics the hard way: ball after ball, hour after hour.
Balancing Education and Cricket
Now, here’s something you don’t always see in fast‑rising talents: a serious focus on education alongside cricket. Vihaan enrolled in a BBA program at Chitkara University, a decision that kept him close to good cricketing infrastructure while pursuing academics.
Why does this matter? Because university life gave him:
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Access to structured coaching and fitness programs
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Regular competitive games against quality opposition
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A disciplined lifestyle that suits professional sport
Instead of seeing studies as a distraction, he used that environment to shape his professional mindset—turning up on time, following routines, understanding diet and fitness. All those “small things” are often what separate a talented youngster from a future international.
Dominating Age‑Group Cricket for Punjab
Vihaan Malhotra Cricketer, Before the Under‑19 World Cup made him a familiar name, Vihaan had already turned heads in age‑group cricket for Punjab.
His breakout stretch came in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, India’s premier Under‑16 multi‑day tournament. Playing in those longer formats, where temperament is tested as much as technique, he absolutely stacked up runs.
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He crossed 900 runs in a single season, a massive number at any level.
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He scored his first double century at junior level, showing he could bat long and convert starts.
Scoring heavily is one thing; doing it consistently, under pressure, against different attacks, is another. That’s what made coaches, selectors, and the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) sit up. The PCA publicly hailed him as a “future pillar” of Punjab cricket, and that’s not praise they hand out casually.
These performances became his launchpad to higher levels: India A Under‑19 and then the full India Under‑19 side.
Climbing the Ladder: From Punjab to India Under‑19
Once he stepped up to the India age‑group setup, the game got tougher. Better bowlers, more tactical captains, varied conditions—this is where many young players stall. Vihaan, however, adjusted quickly.
Representing India A Under‑19 and later India Under‑19, he:
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Handled stronger bowling attacks with maturity
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Contributed with both bat and ball
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Proved his value as a genuine all‑round option
What stands out is his versatility. He didn’t come across as just a batter who could “turn his arm over” or a bowler who could “hold a bat.” He was picked and used as a proper all‑rounder—someone who could change games in either discipline.
Playing Role: A Rare Left‑Handed Bat and Right‑Arm Off‑Spinner
Vihaan Malhotra Cricketer, According to official records, Vihaan Malhotra is an all‑rounder:
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Batting: Left‑handed
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Bowling: Right‑arm off‑break
That alone gives him a slight edge. Left‑handed batters naturally create different angles and force bowlers to adjust their lines and fields. In modern cricket, captains love this variety in their lineup.
He usually bats in the middle or lower middle order, the trickiest area in limited‑overs cricket. Why? Because some days you walk in at 20 for 3, and on others you come in at 220 for 3 needing a final push. You must be able to both rebuild and explode. Vihaan’s game suits both roles.
Batting Style: Timing Over Power
If you’re looking for a slogger who swings at everything, that’s not Vihaan. His batting is built on:
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Timing and placement over raw power
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Smart strike rotation—constantly nudging singles and twos
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Understanding the tempo of an innings
In 50‑over cricket especially, that style is gold. During his Under‑19 World Cup hundred, he didn’t go ballistic with sixes. Instead, he built a proper one‑day innings:
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Use the first phase to settle and read the pitch
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Milk the singles, punish loose balls for fours
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Accelerate once set, without going out of control
This kind of approach shows maturity beyond his years. He can be the glue in the innings—the guy others bat around—while still keeping the scoreboard moving.
Bowling Skills: More Than Just “Part‑Time” Off‑Spin
Vihaan Malhotra Cricketer, On the bowling front, Vihaan operates as a right‑arm off‑spinner. You often hear of young batters who bowl a few overs just to fill in, but that tag doesn’t really fit him.
He has already produced genuinely match‑winning spells at youth level. The standout example? His spell of 4 for 14 against Bangladesh Under‑19 in a Youth ODI. That’s not accidental success; that’s controlled off‑spin under pressure.
Key traits in his bowling include:
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Good control over line and length
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Smart use of flight to tempt batters into mistakes
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Calmness in tight situations
For captains and selectors, this dual skill set is priceless. He allows teams to bat deeper without sacrificing bowling options, making him a team‑balance dream in limited‑overs cricket.
Breakthrough Moment: Under‑19 World Cup Heroics
Every promising youngster has that one innings or spell that changes how the cricket world sees them. For Vihaan, that came at the 2026 ICC Under‑19 World Cup, in India’s match against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
India had a solid start thanks to opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored a brisk fifty. Once that platform was set, Vihaan walked in and took control of the game.
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He scored an unbeaten 109 off 107 balls*
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Hit 7 boundaries, relying more on smart placement than blind aggression
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Managed the innings tempo, shifting gears smoothly as he settled
He anchored India to a massive total of 352, with strong support from:
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Abhigyan Kundu, the wicketkeeper‑batter, who added 61
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Khilan Patel, who smashed 30 off just 12 balls to give a final flourish
But through it all, Vihaan was the constant—the anchor around whom the innings revolved.
And this wasn’t his only contribution in the tournament. Earlier, his spell of 4 wickets against Bangladesh Under‑19 had derailed a serious chase and turned a tense game in India’s favour. Put those two performances together—a critical bowling spell and a World Cup hundred—and you start to see why people are excited.
IPL Breakthrough: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Show Faith
In modern Indian cricket, you know a youngster is being taken seriously once the IPL franchises start circling. Ahead of IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stepped in and picked up Vihaan at the auction.
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Franchise: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
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Auction Price: ₹30 lakh
What makes this interesting is that he was signed even before making his senior domestic debut. That’s a bold move and a huge vote of confidence. RCB clearly see long‑term potential in a young all‑rounder who can grow within their system.
For Vihaan, this means:
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Training with world‑class players—both Indian and overseas
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Access to top‑tier support staff, analysts, and high‑performance facilities
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Learning about tactics, game awareness, and handling pressure in packed stadiums
Sometimes, the growth a youngster gets in an IPL dressing room is as valuable as any fifty or four‑for on the field.
Domestic Sides and Youth Franchise Cricket
Vihaan Malhotra Cricketer, Apart from India Under‑19 and India A Under‑19, Vihaan has also turned out for domestic outfits like Trident Stallions, giving him experience in different formats and conditions.
In youth ODIs, his numbers already suggest a player who:
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Scores at a healthy strike rate
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Bowls economical spells that often break partnerships
That’s the statistical side. But beyond the numbers, what coaches like is his awareness of match situations. He seems to understand when to push, when to hold back, and how to adapt his role depending on the team’s needs.
If he can carry this form and game sense into senior domestic tournaments and gradually into the IPL, he will put himself firmly on the radar for India A and eventually the senior national side.
Personality and Mindset: Grounded, Grateful, and Hungry
In today’s world, you can tell a lot about an athlete from their social media presence, and Vihaan’s Instagram reflects a clear picture.
You see:
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Training clips rather than lifestyle flexes
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Match highlights with captions about the “cricket grind”
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Regular thanks to coaches, teammates, and the Punjab Cricket Association
He talks about “timing over power”, which mirrors his batting style, and constantly mentions staying grateful for opportunities. It’s not just PR; it matches the way he plays—calm, composed, and process‑driven.
Recognition at platforms like the BCCI Naman Awards, where his domestic feats have been highlighted, has also raised his profile. Still, the way he carries himself suggests he understands that awards are milestones, not destinations.
This mix of humility and hard work is often the difference between someone who shines briefly at youth level and someone who builds a long, meaningful career.
Future Prospects: Can He Become a Three‑Format All‑Rounder?
At just 19 years of age, Vihaan already checks several important boxes:
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Strong, consistent returns in age‑group domestic cricket
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Match‑winning performances in a global tournament (Under‑19 World Cup)
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Early exposure to the pressure and professionalism of the IPL
If he wants to become a three‑format all‑rounder for India, he’ll need to keep evolving:
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Fitness: Maintaining high fitness levels to bowl long spells and bat deep
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Batting range: Adding more scoring options, especially against high‑quality pace and spin
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Bowling craft: Sharpening his off‑spin to trouble top‑order batters on flat pitches as well as turning tracks
Selectors and analysts love players who rise on big stages, and Vihaan has shown he doesn’t shy away from such moments. That hundred in the Under‑19 World Cup and the four‑wicket haul against Bangladesh are perfect examples of delivering under pressure.
Fans who want to track his progress can follow updated stats and match logs on major cricket platforms like ESPNcricinfo and official BCCI or IPL sites. If he converts youth stardom into domestic and IPL success, an India cap won’t feel far‑fetched.
Similar Articles: Rising Star Vaibhav Suryavanshi – IPL Sensation and Youth Cricket Phenom
Conclusion
Vihaan Malhotra Cricketer, In a country overflowing with cricketing talent, Vihaan Malhotra stands out because he offers the full package: a left‑handed middle‑order batter, a handy right‑arm off‑spinner, a calm temperament, and a grounded personality.
His journey—from junior tournaments in Punjab to a World Cup century and an IPL contract with RCB—captures exactly how India’s modern cricket pipeline works at its best. Strong local systems, smart coaching, and a player willing to put in the hard yards have combined to push him into the spotlight.
Will he become a regular for India in the years to come? That depends on how he handles the next phase: senior domestic cricket, tougher bowling attacks, and the unforgiving glare of professional leagues. But right now, he is unquestionably one of the most exciting young all‑rounders in Indian cricket, and his story is only just getting started.
