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Sanju Samson, the India, and Kerala batter-keeper was criticized by Kerala Cricket Association president Jayesh George, saying that a cricketer doesn’t have the right to play for the state team whenever he wants.
This comes after Samson was excluded from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad after he made himself unavailable for a pre-tournament camp in Wayanad.
“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 had told The Indian Express on December 18.
However, the camp's mission is called into question after several players, including Abdul Bazith and guest star Aditya Sarvate, were named to the VHT squad despite not having attended the Wayanad camp.
Following Kerala's first group-stage encounter against Baroda on December 23, Samson expressed his availability for the duration of the campaign before the team chose to keep the same lineup.
However, Sanju Samson was not picked for Kerala’s rest of the matches, and him not playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy reportedly played a part in his exclusion from India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.
The BCCI selectors couldn’t judge Samson for his 50-over form, as he didn’t play in the domestic 50-over tournament, and reportedly it worked against the cricketer, and he wasn’t considered.
Kerala Cricket Association president Jayesh George opined whether Samson not playing the VHT 2025 played a role in his exclusion from the Indian squad. He stated that Samson, like any other player, should respect the team and its commitments.
“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 told Media One.
“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, a former BCCI joint secretary, also said that he was contacted by BCCI COO Hemang Amin on Saturday morning about Samson’s absence in the domestic tournament.
“Hemang 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,” George said.
Sanju Samson will be in action for India as they take on England in the five-match T20I series at home starting on January 22.
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