Cheteshwar Pujara explains why Vaibhav Suryavanshi may not feature in England T20Is right away
Vaibhava Suryavanshi girlish India challenge has created huge excitement among fans after his sensational growth in the last few months. After the dominance IPL 2026 and continues his excellent form for India AThe teenage batting prodigy is expected to make his international debut during the ongoing five-match T20I series against England. However, the former Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara believes that the boy may have to wait patiently for his opportunity, despite all the hype around him.
Cheteshwar Pujara explains why Vaibhav Suryavanshi might have to wait
Speaking to Star Sports, Pujara felt that India are unlikely to make immediate changes to their established top order, especially after backing a World Cup-winning T20 combination Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. He said team management would first try to give the experienced trio an extended run before considering changes. Pujara also urged the young batsman to ignore the rising expectations and focus fully on his cricket rather than outside opinions.
“There is a lot of noise around him and as a young player he should not focus on what is being said about him. I think it is important to keep outside noise away from him and the best way to do that is to just focus on the game. I don’t think he will get an opportunity right away. Team India would not want to change their top three and I don’t think Vaibhav will get his opportunity in the first 2-3 games. Once the Indian team starts doing well, whenever there is an opportunity in the rotation, that is, when Vaibhav comes into the playing XI, what he did in the IPL, it will not be easy to repeat the same in English conditions.” Pujara said.
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Vaibhav has already impressed in English conditions
Although Pujara believes the transition will not be easy, Suryavanshi has already produced impressive performances in England at youth level. During India’s Under-19 tour of England in 2025, the left-hander became the top run-scorer in the ODI series with 355 runs at an excellent average of 71.00 and 174.01.
Most recently, the 15-year-old showcased his incredible form in the India A tournament, smashing a record 11-ball half-century in the tri-series final in Dambulla, before earning his first call-up to the senior India team. England captain Harry Brooke before the start of the series also confirmed that the hosts have prepared concrete plans for the teenage sensation should he feature during the T20I series.
