As Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma era ends, Lance Klusener sees Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as ‘India’s next superstar’

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (pic; IANS) Indian cricket has rarely struggled to find its next generation of stars, although the players who have made their mark have seemed irreplaceable. From Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar and from Tendulkar to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, each era has produced its own icons, with fresh talents eventually entering the limelight.As Indian cricket prepares for life without Kohli and Rohit, former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener believes the transition need not be difficult. He backed Shubman Gill to lead India in the coming years, while identifying teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a potential superstar of the future.Speaking to IANS, he pointed to cricket’s history of producing players who challenge records that were once considered untouchable.

‘Cricket goes on’: Klusener on life after Kohli and Rohit

“As good as Virat and Rohit have been in the past, they will have to retire from the game when their time comes. But the beauty of cricket is that it goes on. Sometimes it gets stronger.”“When we were playing, people never thought that Sachin Tendulkar’s records would ever be broken. And people are already questioning them. So players come and go. It’s a sad day when legends of your game and legends of your country go. But on the other hand, there are always younger, fitter and faster players on the wings,” Klusener told IANS.The comparison with Tendulkar is particularly relevant. His records once seemed unattainable, but subsequent generations have continued to raise the bar, reinforcing Klusener’s belief that Indian cricket has enough depth to sustain its success even as two of its defining figures of the modern era are nearing the end of their international careers.

Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi represent the next generation of India

Klusener’s confidence in India’s future rests on the arrival of young players capable of shouldering more responsibility. Gill, who has already taken charge of leadership across formats, is seen as central to India’s long-term plans.“Personally, I’m already convinced of that. I think he’s the right man for the job. He’s an absolute superstar with the bat. It’s probably just that he can separate Shubman Gill as a batsman and Shubman Gill as a captain. I think all the great captains have been able to separate that. And I’m sure he’ll have plenty of opportunities and plenty of opportunities to help him L’L’ help him.He pointed to Sooryavanshi as proof that the next generation of Indian talent is already emerging.“But cricket goes on. Stars come and go and legends retire and people think it will never be the same again. But India need look no further than a youngster like Sooryavanshi. There is another superstar,” he added.