‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be bigger than Hollywood or Bollywood star’:Lalit Modi backs 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals batter after IPL brilliance

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has once again produced a new superstar, and this time it is 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Following his extraordinary performances in IPL 2026, the founder of IPL, Lalit Modi, has predicted a massive future for the young cricketer, claiming that he could become one of the biggest sporting icons in the world. Sooryavanshi enjoyed a dream campaign for the Rajasthan Royals (RR), breaking several records and establishing himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket. His fearless batting style and remarkable consistency made him one of the biggest attractions of the season. The teenage star’s performances have not only impressed fans and experts but have also earned praise from the man who helped create the IPL nearly two decades ago. Modi believes the youngster has the talent and temperament to achieve global fame if he continues his development in the right direction. Lalit Modi makes bold prediction about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Speaking about Sooryavanshi’s future, Modi did not hold back in his praise for the youngster. He said, “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will be bigger than any Hollywood or Bollywood star,” the 62-year-old Modi told ANI with absolute conviction. “He’ll be bigger than anyone in the world if he keeps his head on his shoulders. When I see his style of batting and the fearlessness in that boy, whatever it is, at that age to have that confidence, it’s magic.” Modi also highlighted how the IPL has transformed opportunities for young Indian players. According to him, the league has broken traditional barriers and allowed talented youngsters to make an immediate impact at the highest level. “Before the IPL began, you had 20 people on the Indian bench, and they sat there for 15 years,” Lalit Modi recalled. “Today, you have a Sooryavanshi who just jumps up and comes out. We have the greatest talent available today… We don’t even need foreign players anymore.” Record-breaking IPL 2026 campaign for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Sooryavanshi’s numbers from IPL 2026 explain why the cricket world is talking about him. The Bihar-born batter finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with an incredible 776 runs. He maintained a stunning strike rate of 237.30 and smashed a record 72 sixes during the season. His explosive batting helped him dominate bowling attacks across the competition and rewrite several IPL records. The young left-hander also completed a clean sweep of major individual awards. He won the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player (MVP), Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker, and Super Sixes of the Season awards. Sooryavanshi-like success is major reason behind IPL’s growing popularity Modi believes that young stars like Sooryavanshi are a major reason behind the IPL’s growing popularity around the world. “Without doubt. It’s a game-changer. And that’s why you look at the ratings today. I don’t care where the ratings come from. They come for Sooryavanshi. They came for Virat Kohli,” he added. Drawing comparisons with European football, Modi explained that modern sports audiences often tune in to watch star players rather than just teams. “Today, you don’t go and watch an Aston Villa match, or you go and watch another match. You watch the Arsenal match or Man (Manchester) City match because that’s what drives viewership. So you need a hook every time. And the hook needs to keep changing. So, yes, we have a common hook we want to create. And that’s the main thing,” the IPL founder concluded.