New Delhi: Businessman Lalit Modi has joined the long list of people who are mesmerised by child prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
“He is an absolute star,” Modi told Karishma Mehta, host of the Humans of Bombay podcast.
According to him, in the next five years, the biggest stars in the world would be IPL cricketers. Their fame would rival that of footballers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, adding that they will rule the world.
“Look at this kid, playing excellent cricket and becoming a global star,” the former IPL chairman said.
Sooryavanshi has scored 776 runs in IPL 2026, at a staggering strike rate of 237.3. This also included 72 sixes. With this, the 15-year-old was the highest run getter this season, winning the orange cap.
Speaking to Wisden Cricket, Modi made a bold prophecy for the Rajasthan Royals batter. The businessman said that Sooryavanshi has the potential to surpass Jamaican batsman Chris Gayle and become the number one cricketer in the world.
“I am looking forward to that day. Sooryavanshi, you will make 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 or Bollywood star. Don’t let anybody tell you anything. Play with your heart. You will beat my good friend Chris Gayle, whose bat I have on my wall downstairs,” he said.
After a record-breaking IPL 2026 season, in which he swept five individual awards, including the Most Valuable Player honour, Sooryavanshi’s next assignment will be the India A one-day tri-series in June.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)