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Sanju led Kerala in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy but was not considered for selection in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after failing to attend the team’s three-day preparatory camp in Wayanad.
Sanju Samson dropped from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. (Picture Credit: Instagram/@imsanjusamson)
Star Indian batter Sanju Samson will not play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Kerala. The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who captained the side in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, was not included in the team picked up for the 50-over tournament, which is set to start on December 21. According to a report in the Indian Express on Wednesday (December 18), Samson, who hammered a century in his last ODI for the Men in Blue, was not considered for selection after he skipped Kerala’s three-day preparatory camp in Wayanad.
Samson failed to report for Kerala’s camp after being named in the 30-man probables last week. Kerala played two practice games at the Krishnagiri Stadium in Wayanad, after which a 19-member squad was announced on Tuesday evening.
“Sanju had sent an email stating that he would not be available for the camp. The team had a short camp in Wayanad without him. Naturally, we only considered those who were part of the sessions for selection. There has been no further discussion with him on the matter,” KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Apart from Samson, senior batter Sachin Baby was also not included in the squad. The 35-year-old left-handed batter suffered an injury during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign.
“Sachin’s recovery period is slotted till December 21, following which we will take a call on his inclusion,” Kumar said.
In Samson’s absence, Salman Nizar will captain Kerala, and the team includes the likes of Rohan Kunnummal, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Jalaj Saxena, and Basil Thampi.
Kerala is part of Group E in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and will play its matches in Hyderabad. The team’s first match is scheduled to take place on Monday, December 23, against Baroda at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, and in the next five matches, Kerala will face Madhya Pradesh (December 26), Delhi (December 28), Bengal (December 31), Tripura (January 3), and Bihar (January 5).
Kerala squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy: Salman Nizar (C), Rohan Kunnummal, Shoun Roger, Mohammed Azharuddeen (WK), Anand Krishnan, Krishna Prasad, Ahammed Imran, Jalaj Saxena, Aditya Sarvate, Sijomon Joseph, Basil Thampi, Basil NP, Nidheesh MD, Eden Apple Tom, Sharafuddeen NM, Akhil Scaria, Vishweshwar Suresh, Vaishak Chandran, Ajnas M ((WK).
- Location :
Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India
