‘Doesn’t mean you turn up…’: KCA president breaks silence on Sanju Samson’s omission from Champions Trophy squad

The President of Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) spoke about Sanju Samson not getting a place in India's squad for Champions Trophy 2025, along with stating that him not attending training camp before Vijay Hazare Trophy might have played as a reason for this decision.

One of the most-talked point from the press conference of Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar when announcing the squad for Champions Trophy 2025 and England series was Sanju Samson not being named. As a result of his performance performance in T20Is, there have been a lot of appeals for Samson to be taken in team, and even become India’s first-choice wicketkeeper over KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

It was even anticipated that Samson might suffer in case he misses the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 30-year-old reportedly got cut off from the Kerala team after his statement of not attaining training camp ahead of the event. This got confirmed by the President of Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), Jayesh George, who also punished Samson for sending a ‘one-line text’ stating that he is unable to participate in Wayanad camp.

George was asked on MediaOne about whether Samson being absent from the Vijay Hazare Trophy might contribute to his selection from Champions Trophy selection.

“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. 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 said.

“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,” he added.

India’s Champions Trophy Squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.

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