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Indian cricketer and Kerala’s star player Sanju Samson has been excluded from the state’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad following his non-attendance at the three-day KCA preparatory camp. Samson, who recently captained Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and has been in fine form internationally with three T20I centuries, has reportedly faced the axe for disciplinary reasons.
In his absence, Salman Nizar has been named Kerala’s captain for the tournament. Notably, experienced batter Sachin Baby is also missing from the squad due to an injury, leaving Kerala with two significant absences for the campaign.
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Why Was Sanju Samson Dropped?
KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar confirmed the decision in a statement to The Indian Express. He revealed that Samson had informed the board via email about his unavailability for the camp but reiterated that only players who participated in the camp were considered for selection. The squad was finalized after two practice matches, narrowing the list from 30 probables to 19.
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has taken a strict stance on maintaining discipline, which led to Samson’s exclusion despite his recent form and stature. No further discussions with Samson were held after his absence.
A Setback for Samson’s Champions Trophy Hopes
Missing the Vijay Hazare Trophy could prove to be a major setback for Sanju Samson. With the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy approaching, strong performances in domestic competitions like the Vijay Hazare Trophy are critical for players vying for a spot in India’s ODI squad.
Samson’s absence might impact his chances of making the national team for the marquee tournament, especially with intense competition among wicketkeeper-batters.
Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy Squad
The Kerala squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024, led by Salman Nizar, includes a mix of youth and experience:
Kerala Squad:
- 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)
