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Samson, who led Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, was not included in Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad after he skipped the team’s three-day preparatory camp in Wayanad.
Kerala Cricket Association president slams Sanju Samson. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) president Jayesh George on Saturday slammed star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson after it was believed that his absence from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad was the reason for his snub from India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Samson was not included in Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad after he missed the team’s three-day preparatory camp in Wayanad.
After India’s squad for the eight-team ICC tournament was announced on Saturday, George explained the reason why Samson was not picked by KCA for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and said that he is not sure if VHT absence was the sole reason for Samson’s exclusion from India’s 50-over team.
“I am not sure if Samson missing the tournament was the reason he was excluded. The reason he was not added to the Vijay Hazare squad was because he sent a one-line text saying he would not be available for the 30-member preparatory camp. We were all of the impression that he would be leading the team since he is our white-ball captain and had led in the SMAT season as well,” George was quoted as saying by MediaOne.
“So, we went ahead and announced the squad, and later he sent a message stating he is available for selection. Be it Sanju Samson or any other player, KCA has a policy in place that needs to be respected. We all know that Sanju does not need a camp to come into the squad, but is the Kerala team one that he can come and represent only when he feels like it? How did Samson reach the Indian team? It was only through the KCA. That doesn’t mean you turn up only when you feel like it for the Kerala team,” he added.
George, who is also BCCI joint secretary, also revealed that he was contacted by BCCI COO Hemang Amin on Saturday morning about Samson’s absence from the domestic tournament.
“Heman Amin asked me if there was disciplinary action taken against Samson that held him back from playing in the Vijay Hazare games. I replied in the negative, and he wouldn’t have been up for Champions Trophy consideration had I suggested otherwise.”
- Location :
Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India
