'India wouldn't want to change their top 3' - Cheteshwar Pujara comments on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential debut vs England

Former batter Cheteshwar Pujara has claimed that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will need to wait before making his India debut during the upcoming T20I series away to England. The first game of the five-match series will take place in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, July 1.

Pujara has advised Sooryavanshi to stay grounded and focus on his game despite all the hype and external noise coming from outside of the team setup. The 38-year-old believes that the Men in Blue will continue to go with the top three of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in the top three, despite their shortcomings in the series against Ireland.

"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. 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," Cheteshwar Pujara said on JioStar.

Pujara believes that in an ideal world, Sooryavanshi could make his much-awaited India debut during the fourth T20I set to be played in Bristol. However, he has once again advised the 15-year-old not to treat the international game as an Indian Premier League outing and to respect the English conditions. For that, he will require time, which is why he shouldn't be put in the playing XI straightaway.

Not playing according to the conditions led to India's demise during the recently concluded series against Ireland, which they lost 2-0.

"So, Vaibhav may have to wait for the first three games. 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. 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 added.

Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes that the only bowler who might have an advantage against Sooryavanshi is his Rajasthan Royals teammate Jofra Archer.

The right-arm pacer would have bowled to him countless times during net sessions during the IPL, which could have resulted in Archer finding a chink in the left-handed batter's armour. The teenage sensation, however, has always had an answer to bowlers he has faced in his young career.

"It's hard to prepare for a player like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He is still new to international cricket, but he has already played two IPL seasons. That means there is video footage available. Some of the England bowlers may have bowled to him in the IPL. But the truth is, no one has really had much success against him so far. He has looked almost unplayable. The one bowler who might have a slight advantage is Jofra Archer. He has seen Sooryavanshi from the dugout, bowled to him in the nets, and watched him closely. He has probably seen more of him than anyone else. Maybe he has spotted a weakness. Maybe he has a plan. And he has the express pace to back it up. But so far, no matter who has bowled to Sooryavanshi, no matter how highly rated the bowler, he has always had an answer," Graeme Swann said on JioStar.