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

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Image: After Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s sensational breakthrough season, IPL founder and former chairman Lalit Modi made a bold prediction for the teenage prodigy, claiming 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 top run-scorer and grabbing headlines throughout the season with his fearless batting and remarkable temperament. His performances have earned him widespread praise across the cricketing fraternity, with several former players and pundits hailing him as a generational talent.Now, with the 19th edition of the IPL coming to a close, Modi has added his name to the growing list of admirers and backed the Rajasthan Royals youngster to reach unprecedented heights in the sport.In an interview with 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 200, I promise you. Don’t let money go to your head. You will become the number one superstar on the planet, bigger than any Hollywood and Bollywood star on the planet,” Modi said.

At just 15, Rajasthan Royals (RR) wonder man Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rewrote cricket history by producing a truly generational ‘season to remember’ in IPL 2026. The teenager completely dominated the tournament, becoming the youngest Orange Cap winner and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the long history of the IPL while breaking multiple records.

• Orange Cap: Finished as the top scorer of the tournament with 776 runs.
• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Topped the tournament impact rankings with 436.5 points.
• Rookie of the Season: Recognized as an exceptional young talent.
• Super Striker of the Season: Maintained a stunning tournament strike of 237.30.
• Super Sixes of the Season: Smashed a record 72 sixes

He scored 776 runs at an average of 48.50 in 16 matches. His strike rate is the highest ever recorded by an Orange Cap winner in the league’s 19-year history.