'Vaibhav may have to wait for the first three games': Pujara urges patience over teenager's selection
New Delhi, June 30
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should not allow the growing attention around him to become a distraction as he awaits a possible opportunity in India's upcoming T20I series against England.
Speaking ahead of the tour, Pujara said the youngster is unlikely to feature immediately given the stability of India's current top order, while stressing that preparation and patience will be crucial to his long-term success.
Pujara first advised Sooryavanshi to stay grounded despite the widespread excitement surrounding his emergence.
"There is a lot of hype around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. As a young player, he shouldn't pay attention to what is being said about him. He needs to block out the outside noise and focus on his game," Pujara told JioStar.
While backing the youngster's mindset, Pujara explained that earning a place in the playing XI depends on more than just talent, especially with India's batting lineup already settled.
"But even if he is mentally ready, selection is a different matter. I don't think he will get a chance straight away in the England series because India wouldn't want to change their top three. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan are quality batters who have helped India win the T20 World Cup. So, Vaibhav may have to wait for the first three games," he added.
Pujara also outlined the approach he believes Sooryavanshi should adopt whenever his opportunity eventually arrives.
"If the opportunity arrives, the key for him will be to stay relaxed and calm. He shouldn't put pressure on himself to score big runs. He should just go out and express himself," he said.
The veteran batter cautioned that conditions in England will pose a fresh challenge, making thorough preparation essential before expecting the same level of success he enjoyed in franchise cricket.
"What he did in the IPL won't be easy to replicate in English conditions. So, he needs to prepare well and get used to the conditions. Once he has done that, it will be about watching the ball and playing it on its merit. Everything else will fall into place," Pujara stated.
India begin their T20I series in England with a settled batting unit, meaning Sooryavanshi may have to bide his time before receiving his first opportunity at the international level.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I agree with Pujara's advice to block out the noise. The hype around young players in India can be overwhelming, and it's important for Vaibhav to focus on his game. That said, if he's good enough, he's old enough. Would love to see him get a chance maybe in the middle order if someone underperforms.
Finally some mature thinking from Pujara. We've seen too many young talents burn out because they were thrown into the deep end too soon. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has a bright future, but English conditions are notoriously different from Indian pitches. Let him spend a few games in the dressing room, absorb the atmosphere, and then unleash him when the series is 2-0 or 3-0.
I think India needs to be more flexible. If a talent like Vaibhav is ready, why wait? The top order is settled but what about opportunities? The solution is to give the youngster at least one game in the middle order. Pujara's conservative approach makes sense for Tests but T20s require dynamic decisions. Still, Pujara's advice to stay grounded is gold.
Pujara is absolutely right. As an Indian fan, I want to see our young players succeed but not at the cost of their career. Vaibhav is just 18 - he has 15-20 years ahead of him. Rushing him because of hype is the worst thing we could do. Let him learn from Abhishek, Sanju and Ishan, who've been through this journey. Prepare well, bide your time, son. 🇮🇳
D We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.