Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has urged teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to exercise patience as India prepare for their upcoming T20I series against England, cautioning that the youngster is unlikely to break into the playing XI immediately given the solidity of the current top order. Pujara shared his views in an interview with JioStar ahead of the tour.

Blocking Out the Hype

Pujara's first piece of counsel was directed at Sooryavanshi's mindset. '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 said. The advice comes as the teenager has attracted enormous attention following a standout run in franchise cricket, with expectations building rapidly around his international debut.

Why Selection May Not Come Immediately

Despite acknowledging Sooryavanshi's mental readiness, Pujara was candid about the selection reality. '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. The settled combination of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan — all of whom were part of India's T20 World Cup-winning campaign — makes immediate inclusion a tall order for the youngster.

How to Approach the Opportunity When It Comes

Pujara also mapped out the temperament Sooryavanshi will need when his chance 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 advice reflects a broader principle familiar to Indian cricket: that debutants who play freely tend to fare better than those weighed down by expectation.

The Challenge of English Conditions

Pujara was equally measured about the technical demands that await. '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,' he stated. English conditions — with their lateral movement, overcast skies, and seaming pitches — have historically tested even established Indian batters, making acclimatisation a non-negotiable step for any debutant. Notably, several Indian youngsters who dazzled in the IPL have found the adjustment to overseas T20 cricket a more gradual process.

What This Means for India's Squad Planning

India head into the England T20I series with a settled batting unit and a clear preference for continuity at the top. Sooryavanshi's path to the XI will depend on both form in practice and the team management's willingness to rotate. With the series providing a window ahead of future global tournaments, the management is likely to prioritise proven combinations early before experimenting later in the tour.