[Cetheswar Pujara Champions for Sanju Samson as Youth Waits on Line for India-West Indies T20I Test Opener]
Cheteshwar Pujara has endorsed Sanju Samson for the opening spot alongside Abhishek Sharma ahead of India’s T20I series opener against the West Indies, emphasizing that the team should not shave away from a performing leader simply because an outstanding young talent remains untested.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s “Game Plan”, Pujara noted Samson’s experience and recent form should give him an edge over 14‑year‑old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while insisting the youngster will have ample opportunities as India’s T20 fixture list continues.
“I would choose Sanju Samson because he is an experienced player who has already won a World Cup,” Pujara said. “You cannot suddenly make decisive changes when someone is playing well merely because an exceptional talent sits on the bench.”
The five‑match series against the West Indies kicks off in Lucknow on Tuesday, with India’s opening trio among the critical selection questions heading into the contest.
Why Pujara Prefers Sanju Samson Over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Pujara contends that Samson’s current form and experience should take precedence, especially since the Kerala batter appears to be in the midst of his form peak.
“Sanju Samson is just as talented. He has played exceptionally well lately and is indeed at his best right now,” Pujara explained.
The former Indian cricketer also urged that forcing Sooryavanshi into the XI is unnecessary given India’s packed T20 calendar.
“Injuries are likely to occur along the way, so Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will definitely secure opportunities. It’s not as though he will never get a call-up,” he added.
Pujara went further, highlighting how remaining with the squad could benefit Sooryavanshi through continued development.
“Staying with the team could itself be valuable for Sooryavanshi as he progresses, allowing him to learn under pressure before finally stepping into the playing XI,” he said.
Pujara Backs Abhishek Sharma to Remain at the Top
Pujara expressed strong confidence in Abhishek Sharma’s status at the pinnacle of India’s T20I order.
He described Sharma as one of the most exceptional batsmen in the format, citing his strike rate, consistent performance, and capacity to launch swift starts.
“Given his impressive strike rate, steady consistency, and the momentum he provides to Team India, he has arguably become one of the standout players in T20 cricket,” Pujara observed.
Sharma previously slipped temporarily to the No. 1 ranking during the World Cup but returned to the summit once his form stabilized.
Nonetheless, Pujara warned of potential threat from West Indies off‑spinner Roston Chase, particularly given the presence of numerous left‑hand opposition in India’s batting lineup.
“Indian left‑handers have faced occasional difficulty against off‑spin. After improving dramatically against off‑spin bowlers, returning to West Indies’ chase will be challenging for Roston Chase,” he commented.
Tillak Varma Emerging as India’s Finisher
Pujara also singled out Tilak Varma’s maturation as a close‑in finisher, suggesting India has possibly landed the ideal middle‑order batter in T20 cricket.
The challenge for anyone occupying the No. 5–No. 7 spots involves adapting quickly to match dynamics. That might mean sticking to traditional tactics if wickets fall early, or launching aggression from the outset during death overs.
“Tilak has demonstrated that ability to attack bowlers under pressure at any stage,” Pujara praised.
He referenced Tilak’s recent high totals in his final three overs—struck at 246 across overs 17‑20 in his previous series appearances—as proof of his evolution.
“Such performance demands a batsman capable of regularizing boundaries and scoring sustainably, which Tilak has delivered repeatedly in recent seasons,” Pujara concluded.
Pujara’s Chosen India XI for First T20I vs West Indies
Pujara’s preferred starting eleven lists Samson as captain of the opening pair alongside Abhishek Sharma, followed by Ishan Kishan at No. 3 and captain Shreyas Iyer at No. 4.
Varma will occupy the No. 5 role, supported by depth contributions from Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Pujara’s suggested lineup reads:
1. Abhishek Sharma
2. Sanju Samson
3. Ishan Kishan
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. Tilak Varma
6. Shivam Dube
7. Nitish Kumar Reddy
8. Axar Patel
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Prince Yadav
Pujara believes the partnership of Dube and Nitish creates flexibility to cover multiple overs efficiently, while Axar supplies an additional swing option alongside his batting prowess.
He also vouched for Kuldeep Yadav to transition seamlessly from his familiar ODI framework to a prominent T20I presence, dubbing him an “X‑factor” for Indian football.
“Arshdeep makes sense, and Prince Yadav due to his experience and recent IPL brilliance,” Pujara asserted.
India vs West Indies T20I Series Begins in Lucknow
India and the West Indies launch their five‑match T20I series at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.
The tournament kicks off at 7 pm IST, with the remainder of the fixtures slated for Ranchi, Indore, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
For India, the opening combination will dominate the conversation, especially with Samson’s seasoned credentials competing against Possible Inclusion of Sooryavanshi.
Pujara’s stance remains firm: the current performers deserve retention of their places, while Sooryavanshi can leverage every opportunity to absorb knowledge before his entry into the XI.
“India play a large volume of T20 matches, so the chance certainly exists for him throughout the year,” Pujara reiterated. “Nevertheless, he must wait for his moment.”
