Sanju Samson cannot play for Kerala whenever he likes, says KCA president amid Champions Trophy snub
Sanju Samson cannot play for Kerala whenever he likes, says KCA president amid Champions Trophy snub
Sanju Samson’s omission from the India Champions Trophy squad announced on Saturday has drawn a lot of ire from fans and experts on social media. His absence from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) squad is believed to be one of the reasons why he was overlooked by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel.
Despite leading the team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, Sanju was left out of the VHT after it was reported that he did not attend the three-day preparatory camp ahead of the tournament. But, it has been learned that other players who gave the camp a skip were drafted into the squad while Sanju continued to be left out.
Amid the furore over Sanju’s VHT squad exclusion and after he missed out on Champions Trophy selections, KCA President Jayesh George told media that the batter cannot decide to ‘play for Kerala whenever he likes’.
“I am not sure if Samson missing the tournament was the reason he was excluded. The reason he was not added in the Vijay Hazare squad was because he sent a one-line text saying he would not be available for the 30-member preparatory camp,” George told MediaOne.
“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,” he added.
Geroge also added that he was contacted by BCCI COO Hemang Amin to enquire about Sanju’s absence from the 50-over domestic tournament.
“Heman Amin asked me if there was discplinary 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,” he said.
The 30-year-old wicketkeeper last represented India in ODI cricket in December 2023 away at South Africa where he scored a hundred at Paarl to help India to a 78-run victory. In 16 ODIs so far in his career, Sanju has scored 510 runs at an average of 56.66.
