India, Oct. 6 -- Former India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara believes the Indian team will be better equipped to handle the slowish conditions expected in the opening T20I against the West Indies in Lucknow, having recently played on challenging batting pitches at the Asian Games in Japan.

India and the West Indies are scheduled to begin their five-match T20 series in Lucknow later on Tuesday.

Pujara said the Ekana wicket could offer assistance to both pace and spin bowlers and make batting difficult, but India's recent experience in Japan could help the batters adjust.

"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," Pujara said on JioHo...