Lalit Modi has hailed 15-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, predicting he could become a global icon bigger than Bollywood or Hollywood stars. The teen from Bihar dominated IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals with 776 runs, 72 sixes and multiple awards. Modi credited IPL for nurturing young talent and said the league now belongs to fans, showcasing rising homegrown stars.

London: Indian Premier League (IPL) architect Lalit Modi has made a glittering prediction for teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, asserting that the 15-year-old has the explosive potential to transcend traditional celebrity and become a global sporting icon bigger than any Hollywood or Bollywood star.

Speaking to ANI on what makes the Indian Premier League (IPL) one of the world's most successful sporting events, the IPL founder said the tournament now belongs to the fans and credited the league for creating a pathway for young Indian talent to emerge on the biggest stage.

"It's not me. It's not anybody else. It's not the owners anymore. It is for the fans. And it's the fans and fans alone. Players, we have the best. We don't need any foreign players in IPL anymore. We keep them because it's good, because you have a whole lot of different talents coming in. But we have the greatest talent available today. We have so many people," Lalit Modi said.

Lalit Modi's remarks come on the heels of a historic IPL 2026 season where Sooryavanshi didn't just break out, he utterly dominated. The Bihar-born sensation spearheaded a clean sweep at the tournament's post-season awards, capturing an unprecedented haul including Most Valuable Player (MVP), Emerging Player of the Season, Super Striker, the Orange Cap, and Super Sixes of the Season.