'I don’t see any changes in the top 3' - Cheteshwar Pujara shares views on India’s probable playing XI for 1st T20I vs England

Chesteshwar Pujara believes that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won't break into India's playing XI straightaway during the five-match T20I series against England.

Ahead of this assignment, India play two T20Is against Ireland on June 26 and June 28. While the 15-year-old might be handed his international debut in this series, the Men in Blue could opt to go in with the tried-and-tested top three, featuring Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan.

"I don't see any changes in India's top three of Abhishek

Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan. Both Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan will be part of the opening XI for sure," Pujara said on Star Sports.

The cricketer-turned-expert reckoned that Sooryavanshi would get at least one game in the long series when India rotates players.

"When India rotate their players, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will certainly feature in at least one match," the former India batter added.

"He has shown that he can bat at No. 5 and 6 as well" - Cheteshwar Pujara on Tilak Varma's ideal batting position in ENG vs IND 2026 T20Is

Pujara was asked whether India's new T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma is ideally suited to bat in the top-order. The 38-year-old disagreed, stressing that the southpaw has done well at positions five and six.

"According to me, Tilak is a batter who can surely bat in the top three, but at the same time, he has shown that he can bat at No. 5 and 6 as well," Pujara said.

Pujara also feels that Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy will be the spin-bowling options in India's playing XI, and Washington Sundar will only get picked when there are more left-handed batters in the opposition team's line-up.

"With the options that India have like Axar Patel, then Varun Chakaravarthy, who is not an all-rounder, but he will be the first choice if India want to play just one spinner. Washington might get a chance being an off-spinner and all-rounder when there are more left-handers," the stalwart commented.