IPL founder and former chairman Lalit Modi has thrown his full weight behind Rajasthan Royals teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after an eye-catching IPL 2026 campaign, insisting the 15-year-old could rise to become the biggest global superstar in the sport—possibly even surpassing the fame of major film celebrities.
Modi’s blockbuster backing for Sooryavanshi
Speaking to Wisden after the conclusion of the 19th edition of the IPL, Modi added Sooryavanshi to the growing list of admirers who believe the young opener is destined for extraordinary heights. The former chairman pointed to the impact Sooryavanshi created across the season and made a bold, confidence-filled claim about his future in T20 cricket.
Modi went as far as predicting a double century in the format, while also suggesting Sooryavanshi’s celebrity could outgrow mainstream stardom.
- Modi said he expects Sooryavanshi to score a double century in T20 cricket.
- He promised “you will make a 200” and urged the youngster not to let money affect his mindset.
- Modi added that Sooryavanshi could become the number one superstar on the planet, bigger than Hollywood and Bollywood stars.
Why IPL 2026 became a defining “season to remember”
At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi rewrote expectations during IPL 2026. Wearing the Rajasthan Royals jersey as an opener, he dominated the competition so thoroughly that his run was described as a truly generational “season to remember.” His performances were not only headline-worthy, but also historically significant.
Sooryavanshi finished as the tournament’s youngest Orange Cap winner and also earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honour in IPL history. Along the way, he broke several long-standing records, turning his fearless approach and unusual composure into a season-long talking point across the cricketing world.
The numbers behind the Orange Cap and MVP run
Sooryavanshi’s statistical output stood out even in a league known for big totals. From the impact charts to strike-rate domination, his IPL 2026 figures underlined why he drew praise from across the game, including former players and experts calling him a generational talent.
- Orange Cap: Finished as the tournament leading run-scorer with 776 runs.
- MVP: Topped the tournament’s impact charts with 436.5 points.
- Emerging Player of the Season: Named the standout young talent.
- Super Striker of the Season: Delivered a strike rate of 237.30.
- Super Sixes of the Season: Hit 72 sixes, a record-breaking number.
Across 16 matches, he amassed 776 runs at an average of 48.50. His strike rate was also the highest ever registered by any Orange Cap winner across the IPL’s 19-year history. The sheer scale of the numbers helped cement his status as one of the most talked-about performers of IPL 2026.
