India are all set to kick off their five-match T20I series against England with the opening clash in Chester-le-Street on July 1. The series marks the beginning of an important white-ball assignment as the Men in Blue continue to shape their core for future ICC events. While the spotlight will be on several established stars, much of the attention is expected to revolve around teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose rapid rise has made him one of the most talked-about cricketers in the country. With fans eager to see whether the youngster gets an opportunity, former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has shared his views on India’s preferred opening combination and Suryavanshi’s chances of making his debut on England soil.
Cheteshwar Pujara picks India’s openers for the first T20I
Ahead of the first T20I, Pujara believes India should stick with the tried-and-tested combination of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson at the top of the order. He also expects Ishan Kishan to occupy the No. 3 position, insisting there is no reason to alter a batting unit that has already shown promise. Speaking on Star Sports, Pujara said he does not anticipate any changes to India’s top three for the series opener.
“I don’t see any changes in India’s top three of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan. Both Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan will be part of the opening XI for sure,” Pujara said.
The combination of Abhishek’s aggressive stroke play, Samson’s attacking approach and Kishan’s left-handed flair offers India a balanced top order capable of taking on England’s bowling attack from the outset.
Pujara on whether Vaibhav Suryavanshi will get a chance in the T20I series
Despite the growing excitement surrounding Suryavanshi, Pujara stopped short of including the teenage prodigy in his preferred XI for the opening match. However, the veteran batter is confident that the youngster will not have to wait too long before getting his chance during the five-match series.
Pujara believes India’s squad depth and the length of the series make player rotation inevitable, opening the door for Suryavanshi to make his international debut.
“When India rotate their players, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will certainly feature in at least one match,” he added.
Although Pujara has backed experience for the opening encounter, the biggest talking point remains whether the Indian team management will hand Suryavanshi an early opportunity. The teenage batting sensation has generated enormous expectations following his remarkable performances in domestic and franchise cricket, making him one of the most exciting young prospects in Indian cricket.
