Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opened the innings for India along with Abhishek Sharma during the Asian Games.
India's recent experience on slow batting pitches during their gold-winning campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan will give them an edge over the West Indies in the first T20I in Lucknow, claimed Cheteshwar Pujara.
The opening game of the five-T20I series between India and West Indies will be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (October 6) evening.
The Ekana wicket is known to assist both fast bowlers and spinners, making run-scoring difficult. Since the Indian squad just encountered similarly tough, low-scoring tracks in Japan, Pujara reckons the batters are mentally prepared for a spinning or slow surface.
However, the former Indian batter cautioned that the quick turnaround time could test the home team's physical readiness.
"Bowlers won't mind the Lucknow wicket. Given how it plays, there is a bit of help for fast bowlers as well as spinners, and batting isn't that easy. The advantage for the Indian team is that after playing in Japan, the pitches there weren't that easy for batting, so the batters will be a bit prepared for a slowish wicket or if the ball turns a bit," Pujara said on JioHotstar.
"So, when the first match kicks off at Ekana, the Indian team might be slightly prepared with respect to the pitch, but may not be when it comes to the turnaround time," he added.
Pujara backed Indian opener Abhishek Sharma to hold the upper hand against West Indies' off-spinner Roston Chase. He noted that while Indian left-handers traditionally struggle against off-spin, Abhishek has significantly upgraded his game.
"When we talk about Abhishek, it was a very short phase when he wasn't at number one. Given his strike rate, his consistency, and the starts he gives India, he is probably one of the most exceptional players in the T20 format."
"Indian left-handers have struggled a little bit against off-spin. Abhishek has gotten much better against off-spinners now, so it won't be easy for Chase. Still, his role will be very important because there are many left-handers there in the Indian line-up."
Despite teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi being in the mix, Pujara strongly advocated for the experienced Sanju Samson to open the batting. He emphasized that Samson is currently at the peak of his career and a proven World Cup winner, meaning he shouldn't be displaced while in good form.
"I would go with Sanju Samson because he is an experienced player who has won a World Cup. 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. There will be injuries in between, so Sooryavanshi will definitely get opportunities. It's not like he won't get a chance," Pujara remarked.
Praising India’s T20I vice-captain, Pujara mentioned that the team has finally found its ideal middle-order finisher in Tilak Varma. He highlighted Tilak’s rare ability to seamlessly shift gears—whether rebuilding after early wickets or unleashing big hits during the death overs.
"It seems like the Indian team has found the kind of player they were looking for. At numbers 5, 6, and 7 in white-ball cricket, especially in the T20 format, you need a player who can bat according to the situation. If wickets fall early, he can play normal cricketing shots.
"But when you come in to bat after 15 or 16 overs, and you need 30 or 40 runs off 10 balls, Tilak has shown that he has that ability to take on the bowlers at the death at will."
(With PTI Inputs)