Former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi has tipped young Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to become the future face of Indian cricket, calling him a rare talent who has already shown the confidence and fearlessness of a seasoned professional. Modi, whose vision helped shape the IPL into one of the biggest T20 leagues in the world, said he was stunned the first time he watched Sooryavanshi bat.
Speaking to former England captain Michael Vaughan on The Overlap Cricket, Modi recalled how difficult it was to believe that the youngster was only 14 at the time. He admitted that the level of power, composure and maturity shown by the teenager left him completely surprised.
“I can tell you that kid is going to go out there and be the face of Indian cricket in the future,” Lalit Modi said. “Look at the confidence on the kid’s face. 14 years old! My son is 14… I saw this kid hit, [I thought] ‘Not possible, I am dreaming. It’s not possible that this kid is 14.’”
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Modi added that he even repeatedly checked to confirm the youngster’s age because the performance seemed so far beyond it. What impressed him most was not just one flash of brilliance, but the fact that Sooryavanshi had outperformed established players more than once.
Michael Vaughan, however, raised an important concern about the pressures that come with instant fame, money and attention. Modi agreed that this is now one of the biggest responsibilities for the IPL and cricket administrators — to ensure that young stars are protected as much as they are celebrated.
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He also reflected on how the IPL has transformed Indian cricket, creating both opportunity and temptation. While the league has produced players who lose themselves in luxury, Modi said it has also given rise to extraordinary young talents like Sooryavanshi. According to him, India may have many more such prospects waiting in the wings, and that is exactly what makes the IPL such a powerful platform for the future of the game.
