Lalit Modi backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to become 'bigger than any Hollywood and Bollywood star'

After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's sensational breakthrough season, IPL founder and former chairman Lalit Modi made a bold prediction for the teenage prodigy, claiming that he could become the biggest superstar on the planet.

The 15-year-old emerged as one of the biggest stories of IPL 2026, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer and grabbing headlines throughout the season with his fearless batting and remarkable temperament. His performances earned widespread praise from across the cricketing fraternity, with several former players and experts hailing him as a generational talent.





Now, following the conclusion of the 19th edition of the IPL, Modi has added his name to the growing list of admirers, backing the Rajasthan Royals youngster to achieve unprecedented heights in the sport.

Speaking to Wisden, Modi predicted that Sooryavanshi could one day score a double century in T20 cricket and even become a bigger celebrity than the world's biggest film stars.

"I am looking forward to that day (Sooryavanshi's double ton). You will make a 200, I promise you. Don't let money get into your head. You will become the number one superstar on the planet, bigger than any Hollywood and Bollywood star on the planet," Modi said.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's season to remember

At just 15 years, Rajasthan Royals (RR) prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rewrote cricket history by producing a truly generational "season to remember" in IPL 2026. The teenage opener utterly dominated the tournament, becoming the youngest Orange Cap winner and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in IPL history while shattering multiple long-standing records.

• Orange Cap: Finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 776 runs.
• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Topped the tournament's impact charts with 436.5 points.
• Emerging Player of the Season: Recognized as the standout young talent.
• Super Striker of the Season: Maintained a mind-boggling tournament strike rate of 237.30.
• Super Sixes of the Season: Smashed a record-breaking 72 sixes

Across 16 matches, he accumulated 776 runs at an average of 48.50. His strike rate is the highest ever recorded by any Orange Cap winner in the 19-year history of the league.
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