Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) President Jayesh George lashed out at India National Cricket Team batter Sanju Samson for sending them one-liner on his unavailability for the 30-member preparatory camp. He said that he isn’t sure if not playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 was the reason behind his exclusion from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
India National Cricket Team have named their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. One of the notable omissions was Sanju Samson, as the team went with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as the two keepers in the squad for the tournament, which will be played in the Hybrid model.
Sanju Samson’s exclusion came as a surprise because many expected him to be the second-choice keeper for CT
Samson’s exclusion came as a surprise because many expected him to be the second-choice keeper in the team because of his heroics in white-ball cricket of late. He looked in golden touch in 2024, slamming four T20I centuries while opening the batting.
Also with his ODI average of over 55, it was expected that he would be there in the squad. But that wasn’t the case, and there is a school of thought that he wasn’t included in the team because he didn’t play the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 for Kerala.
Sanju Samson wanted to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, but he couldn’t attend the camp and Kerala picked the team without him.
The reason he was not added to the Vijay Hazare squad was because he sent a one-line text – KCA President Jayesh George
KCA Cricket Association (KCA) President Jayesh George was asked if Sanju Samson not playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 was the reason behind his snub from the ICC Champions Trophy. He talked about the reasons for the batter not being named in the domestic team, saying that he sent one-liner mail.
He also mentioned that they were confident that Sanju Samson will play the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 as he is the white-ball captain. Speaking to MediaOne, he explained:
“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 under 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.”
Be it Sanju Samson or any other player, KCA has a policy in place that needs to be respected – Jayesh George
Jayesh George added that Sanju Samson later sent them mail for his availability but they had already announced the squad. He lashed out at the keeper-batter, saying that although he wasn’t keen camp to be part of the team he cannot represent the team only when he wants to. He elaborated:
“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? 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 for the Kerala team.”
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