Indian team better prepared for slowish tracks after competing on Japan pitches

New Delhi: Former cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara says the Indian team is better prepared to handle slowish tracks, especially in the first T20I against the West Indies in Lucknow, after playing on challenging pitches at the Asian Games in Japan.

India and the West Indies are scheduled to play a five-match T20 series, beginning with the opening game in Lucknow later on Tuesday.

"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.


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"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."

Talking about the possible match-up between Abhishek Sharma and Roston Chase, Pujara said the Indian opener has improved a lot and may have an upper hand over the Windies off-spinner.

"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."

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At the Asian Games, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opened the innings alongside Abhishek but Pujara backed Sanju Samson to return to his original opening spot.

"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."

Talking about Tilak Varma's evolution as a finisher, Pujara said, "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."