Lalit Modi has put forward a striking forecast about teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, suggesting the youngster could ultimately become the public face of Indian cricket. The former IPL chairman, who is known for identifying talent at an early stage, said his first look at Sooryavanshi’s batting left him genuinely stunned.
Modi’s prediction on Sooryavanshi becoming India’s “face”
Speaking on Michael Vaughan’s The Overlap Cricket podcast, Modi said he is convinced Sooryavanshi will grow into a defining figure in the sport. He pointed to what he described as the confidence shown by the teenager, arguing that it is already visible in his demeanour.
Modi said: “I can tell you that kid is going to go out there and be the face of Indian cricket in the future. Look at the confidence on the kid’s face.”
The moment Modi says left him “dreaming”
In the same conversation, Modi recalled the first time he watched Sooryavanshi bat in the IPL. He described the experience as so surprising that he struggled to believe the player’s age, saying he thought it could not be real.
- Modi said Sooryavanshi was “14 years old” when he saw him bat.
- He compared it to his own son being 14, making the disbelief even stronger.
- Modi said he believed it was “not possible” and that he felt like he was “dreaming.”
- To verify the claim, he said he started searching online and reaching out to people to confirm whether the information was genuine.
- He added that he kept receiving messages and that he told others he was actively watching the performances.
- Modi said the youngster had not impressed him once or twice, but that he had continued to outperform everyone.
Vaughan’s concerns about early fame and Modi’s balanced view
Vaughan raised a caution that comes with having fame and money at such a young age, suggesting it could be difficult for players to manage. Modi agreed that the pressure is real and acknowledged that the IPL has, at times, pushed some players toward a more materialistic mindset.
At the same time, Modi stressed that the league’s influence is not purely negative. He argued that the tournament has also delivered real opportunities and motivation for young cricketers across the country.
- Modi said the IPL can sometimes lead players to become overly materialistic.
- He also insisted the league has a positive side—creating pathways and inspiration for youngsters.
- Modi said, “The good thing is we probably have another 50 of them in our country.”
- He added that the IPL has “opened up a whole arena for people to aspire to.”
