Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has weighed in on the selection debate surrounding India's T20I top order ahead of the second T20I against England, firmly arguing that Sanju Samson should not be dropped to make room for teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Speaking on JioStar, Pujara said Samson deserves a sustained run in the side and that the noise around his place is unwarranted.

Pujara's Case for Samson

Pujara was unequivocal in his support for the wicketkeeper-batter, pointing to Samson's proven track record at the highest level. '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,' Pujara said. He added: '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.'

On Sooryavanshi's Path Into the XI

Pujara acknowledged that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned his opportunity, but argued the teenager's inclusion should come through rotation rather than displacement. '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 said. The distinction Pujara draws — resting versus dropping — reflects a broader debate about how India manages squad depth without unsettling a settled batting combination.

Praise for Captain Shreyas Iyer

Pujara also turned his attention to Shreyas Iyer's innings in the rain-hit opening T20I at Durham, where India recovered from early wicket losses after electing to bat first. He credited Iyer's composure and pacing as central to India posting a competitive total. '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,' Pujara said.

He also noted the complementary role played by Abhishek while emphasising that Iyer's anchor role was critical. '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,' Pujara added.

The Verdict on Iyer's Leadership

Pujara concluded that Iyer's knock embodied what is expected of a captain under pressure — balancing personal responsibility with team needs. '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 said. With the second T20I approaching, India's selection call on Sooryavanshi will be closely watched to see whether the team opts for rotation or continuity.