BCCI Selectors Reportedly Unhappy With Sanju Samson Skipping Vijay Hazare Trophy

Sanju Samson’s decision to skip Kerala’s three-day Vijay Hazare Trophy practice camp in Wayanad last December due to personal reasons has stirred controversy. As a result, the Kerala Cricket Association left him out of the squad for the premier domestic 50-over tournament. This decision has reportedly irked BCCI officials and selectors. According to The Times…


Sanju Samson Likely to Miss Out on India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad: Reports

Sanju Samson’s decision to skip Kerala’s three-day Vijay Hazare Trophy practice camp in Wayanad last December due to personal reasons has stirred controversy. As a result, the Kerala Cricket Association left him out of the squad for the premier domestic 50-over tournament. This decision has reportedly irked BCCI officials and selectors.

According to The Times of India, the BCCI is planning to investigate why the experienced wicketkeeper-batter, with 16 ODIs and 37 T20Is to his name, chose not to participate in the tournament.

The 30-year-old from Thiruvananthapuram now risks missing out on India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“The board and selectors have consistently emphasized the importance of domestic cricket. Last year, players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer lost their central contracts for skipping domestic matches without proper approval. In Samson’s case, no official reason was provided for his absence. What’s known is that he spends much of his time in Dubai,” a BCCI source told TOI.

Samson has been named in the squad for the five-match T20I series against England starting January 22 in Kolkata, but his absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy may impact his ODI selection.

“The selectors will want a valid reason for his absence. Otherwise, it will be challenging to consider him for the ODI season. Samson has had a rocky relationship with the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), but that needs to be resolved. Domestic cricket is non-negotiable for game time. He did play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but that’s not enough,” the source added.


Sanju Samson Likely to Miss Out on India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad: Reports


Samson’s recent international form includes three centuries and two ducks in his last five T20Is for India. He last played an ODI in December 2023 against South Africa, scoring a brilliant 108 off 114 balls, including six fours and three sixes, while batting at No. 3.

If Samson is overlooked for the ODI squad, Dhruv Jurel or Ishan Kishan could be considered as backup wicketkeepers.