Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes Sanju Samson should continue to open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma in T20Is, with India facing a selection dilemma involving teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Pujara feels India should back Samson because of his experience and current form. He also believes Sooryavanshi will get enough opportunities in the future and should be prepared to wait for his turn.
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Pujara Picks Samson As Abhishek’s Opening Partner
India are set to begin their five-match T20I series against the West Indies on Tuesday, and Pujara believes Samson should get the nod at the top of the order.
Samson was named Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup and recently hit two half-centuries against Afghanistan. Although he had a couple of low scores in Japan, Pujara feels his experience and recent performances make him the right choice.
“I would go with Sanju Samson because he is an experienced player who has won a World Cup,” Pujara told JioStar.
“You can’t suddenly make a change when someone is performing well just because you have an exceptional talent sitting on the bench. Sanju Samson is equally talented. He has also performed really well and is actually at his peak right now. You still have some years left in Sanju Samson, so try and make the most of it,” he added.
‘Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Will Get His Chances’
Pujara also spoke about Sooryavanshi, who has emerged as one of the most exciting young batting talents in Indian cricket.
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The former India Test batter believes there is no need to rush the teenager into the playing XI. According to Pujara, Sooryavanshi can continue learning by spending time around the senior players and will get opportunities as India’s busy T20I schedule continues.
“There will be injuries in between, so Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will definitely get opportunities. It’s not like he won’t get a chance,” Pujara said.
“And it will be good for him only, even if he isn’t in the playing XI; he can learn a lot of things by staying with the squad. As he matures, he will get his opportunities,” he added.
Pujara also pointed out that India play enough T20 cricket for Sooryavanshi to get his chances throughout the year.
“India are playing a lot of T20 matches, so it’s not like he won’t get a chance all year, but he will have to wait for his opportunity,” he said.
India Face Another Selection Dilemma
India recently managed to include Samson, Sooryavanshi and Abhishek in the same playing XI during the Asian Games. However, that combination came with its own compromises.
Ishan Kishan was pushed down to No.5, while India went into the match with only one specialist pacer in Jasprit Bumrah.
With the team expected to take a different approach going forward, India could once again have to choose between Samson and Sooryavanshi for a place at the top of the order.
