Fan's 'Garam paani piyo, thanda mat peena' advice to Sooryavanshi in Wellington goes viral

A video showing 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's exchange with a fan after India's third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington has gone viral, an article published on October 29, 2026 reported.

Sooryavanshi has become a fan favourite for both his on-field aggression and his off-field innocence at just 15 years old. He is noted in the report for his ability to hit sixes, score at a rapid pace and pressure opposing bowling attacks. After the third T20I he moved close to the boundary to sign autographs, where a woman in the crowd called out: “Vaibhav… hum log bhi Ballia se hain. Kaise ho, theek ho? Garam paani piyo, thanda mat peena [Vaibhav, we are also from Ballia. How are you? Are you fine? Drink warm water, don't drink cold water],” and he smiled before continuing to sign.

In the same match in Wellington, Sooryavanshi struck 45 off 19 balls to provide India a rapid start while chasing 199. Abhishek Sharma produced 113 off 38 balls at the other end. The openers combined for 133 runs in 7.1 overs as India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning by six wickets.

India's aggressive beginning put New Zealand's bowlers under immediate pressure. The team scored 118 runs without losing a wicket in the powerplay. That total established a new record for the highest team runs in the first six overs of a men's T20 International.

Speaking in a video shared by the BCCI after the match, Abhishek said Sooryavanshi had told him in the nets that he would play fearlessly, quoting the Milkha Singh film: “Yesterday, Vaibhav told me something in the nets that I will play the same way as in the Milkha Singh movie Bhag Milkha Bhag dialogue ‘Bhaiya, khelunga bhi waise hi’,” Abhishek said.

Abhishek also described the effect of Sooryavanshi's early aggression on the chase: “When you are chasing 200 or 190, his first ball, first over, is his main fast baller. And if you show such aggression as an opener. Because I was on the other side, so I saw that. On the first ball, the non-striker gets excited,” Abhishek said.

He made a direct acknowledgement of the youngster's role in the victory, saying: “I feel special mention to Vaibhav. What he did today, I think, played a very crucial role today. So it goes to him,” he added.

The win left India with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.