As Kohli, Rohit's era winds down, Klusener sees Sooryavanshi as 'next superstar'

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 brought its own icons, with fresh talent eventually stepping into the spotlight.As Indian cricket prepares for life beyond Kohli and Rohit, former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener believes the transition need not be a difficult one. He has backed Shubman Gill to lead India for years to come while identifying teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as a potential superstar of the future.

Speaking to IANS, he pointed to cricket's history of producing players who challenge records once considered untouchable.

‘Cricket carries on’: Klusener on life after Kohli and Rohit

“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.“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.The comparison with Tendulkar is particularly relevant. His records once appeared beyond reach, yet subsequent generations have continued to raise the bar, reinforcing Klusener's belief that Indian cricket has enough depth to sustain its success even as two of its defining modern-day figures approach the end of their international careers.

Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi represent India's next generation

Klusener's confidence in India's future rests on the emergence of young players capable of shouldering greater responsibility. Gill, who has already taken on leadership responsibilities 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,'' Lance said on Gill.He pointed to 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.