02 July,2026 05:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (File Pic)
Former Indian star Cheteshwar Pujara has suggested that the team management stick with Sanju Samson over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sooryavanshi has travelled with the Indian team to the UK tour but is yet to get a debut.
During the two matches against Ireland and the first T20I against England, the Indian team stuck with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as openers. Samson failed to make an impact, scoring just one run in three matches. However, Pujara has backed the Indian wicket-keeper to return to form.
"I think India should persist with Sanju Samson. I don't think he should be feeling any pressure. He has proved himself in the T20 World Cup and, with the kind of talent he possesses, he should be there in the playing XI. There shouldn't be a lot of noise about dropping Sanju Samson. He is a quality player and should get a longer run. Sanju just needs to bat naturally and not think too much." Pujara said on JioHotstar.
"If Vaibhav needs to play, he should play, but not at the expense of dropping someone, rather by resting someone. If you want to give him an opportunity, that is fine. But you shouldn't be dropping any of India's top three players, whether it's Sanju, Abhishek or Ishan Kishan. Having said that, Vaibhav does deserve an opportunity, and his opportunity will come," he added.
Cheteshwar Pujara was delighted to see Indian captain Shreyas Iyer get back to form after his impressive half-century against England.
"It was an important knock from Shreyas Iyer and, when you are leading the team, you always look to lead from the front. He showed a lot of maturity because India were in trouble after losing a couple of early wickets. Abhishek played a good knock, but it was important for Shreyas to hold one end up and take his time. Once he was set, he played some quality shots," he said.
"If you look at his innings at the end of the 20 overs, you know that, as a captain, you have done your job. You have put your team in a very commanding position. This was a perfect knock from Shreyas, both as a leader and as a batter," he concluded.
