Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been dropped from his state team Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 squad due to disciplinary issues. The reason for his axing was revealed by the Kerala Cricket Association secretary Vinod S Kumar.
Samson led Kerala in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. However, it didn’t turn out to be a great tournament for them as they finished in third place in their group behind eventual champions Mumbai and Andhra Pradesh.
Samson scored 136 runs in five matches of the tournament at an average of 27.20 and a strike rate of 149.45. During the tournament, he opened the batting and kept wickets for his team besides leading them.
Sanju Samson dropped from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad
Sanju Samson was dropped from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad as he failed to report for the team’s brief camp at Wayanad. He was earlier named in the 30-man probables for the tournament a few days ago.
Before announcing the 19-member squad, Kerala played two practice matches at the Krishnagiri Stadium, Wayanad. KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar elaborated the reason behind the dropping Sanju Samson from the squad. He claimed that only the players who were available for the preparatory camp were considered for selection.
“Sanju (Samson) 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,” Vinod S Kumar was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Sanju Samson has been on the fringes of Team India’s squad in the white-ball cricket. While he is not in line for the ODIs, he is in India’s plans for T20I cricket. Recently, he played as an opener during the series against Bangladesh and South Africa and produced thrilling performances with the bat.
Sachin Baby also not in the squad
Alongside Samson, left-handed batter Sachin Baby is also not in the squad. Baby suffered an injury during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and he has still not recovered.
“Sachin’s recovery period is slotted till December 21, following which we will take a call on his inclusion,” Kumar added.
Both Samson and Baby are important players of Kerala and have the experience required for the big tournaments. Both have led Kerala at some time in their career and the team can affected by their absence.
Sanju Samson has a great 50-over record for India in international cricket and is slowly establishing himself as a permanent fixture in the T20I team. In ODIs, he has scored 510 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60.
Kerala squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy
Salman Nizar (captain), Rohan S Kunnummal, Shoun Roger, Mohammed Azharuddeen M (wk), Anand Krishnan, Krishna Prasad, Ahammed Imran, Jalaj Saxena, Aditya Sarvate, Sijomon Joseph, Basil Thampi, Basil N P, Nidheesh MD, Eden Apple Tom, Sharafuddeen NM, Akhil Scaria, Vishweshwar Suresh, Vaishak Chandran, Ajnas M (WK).
Sanju Samson’s recent batting form
Recently, he became the first Indian batter to score two consecutive hundreds in T20Is. Samson smashed 111 off just 47 balls in the third T20I of the series against Bangladesh at Hyderabad as India piled on 297-6 in 20 overs.
He didn’t stop here and then struck 107 off just 50 balls in the first T20I of the series against South Africa in Durban. Samson has played 37 T20Is so far and scored 810 runs at an average of 27.93 and a strike rate of 155.17.
In the absence of Sanju Samson and Sachin Baby, left-handed batter Salman Nizar will lead the team. there are some new faces in the squad but it also possesses some experienced cricketers.