Klusener anoints Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as India's 'next superstar' as Kohli-Rohit era winds down

Klusener bullish on India's future beyond Kohli and Rohit

Indian cricket has rarely struggled to find its next generation of stars, even when the players making way have seemed irreplaceable. From Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, and from Tendulkar to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, every era has produced its own icons, with fresh talent eventually stepping into the spotlight. As Indian cricket prepares for life beyond Kohli and Sharma, former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener believes the transition need not be a difficult one.

Speaking to IANS, Klusener pointed to cricket's history of producing players who challenge records once considered untouchable. “As good as Virat and as good as Rohit have been in the past, they will have to walk away from the game when their time comes. But the beauty of cricket is that it carries on. It gets stronger sometimes,” he said.

“When we played, people never thought that Sachin Tendulkar’s records would ever be broken. And people are challenging those already. So, players come and go. It’s a sad day when legends of your game and legends of your country step away. But on the bright side, there are always younger, fitter, faster players in the wings as well,” Klusener told IANS.

Gill the right man to lead, says Klusener

Klusener’s confidence in India's future rests on the emergence of young players capable of shouldering greater responsibility. Shubman Gill, who has already taken on leadership duties across formats, is viewed as a central figure in India’s long-term plans.

“For me personally, I’m convinced already. I think he’s the right man for the job. He’s an absolute superstar with the bat. It’s probably just being able to separate Shubman Gill as a batter and Shubman Gill as a captain as well. I think all the great captains have been able to separate that. And I’m sure he’ll have a lot of opportunities and a lot of people to lean on in helping him do that,” Klusener said on Gill.

Sooryavanshi tipped as the next superstar

Klusener also pointed to teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as evidence that another generation of Indian talent is already emerging. “But cricket goes on. Stars come and go, and legends retire, and people think that it’ll never be the same again. But India doesn’t have to look further than a youngster like Sooryavanshi. There’s the next superstar,” he added.

The endorsement arrives amid growing debate around the 15-year-old’s route into the senior side. On 2026-10-09, prior coverage noted Sooryavanshi had been named among global rising stars alongside talents from other sports, with a former India player predicting a senior call-up within six months. Days later, on 2026-10-19, former India opener Aakash Chopra argued there was “no other way” but to leave the teenager out of the T20I XI, with Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube occupying the established spots — a contrast to Klusener’s long-term optimism.

Whether or not Sooryavanshi breaks through immediately, Klusener’s broader message is that India’s conveyor belt of talent ensures the end of one era simply clears the stage for the next.