In a surprising turn of events, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been left out of Kerala’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 season due to his absence from the team’s preparatory camp. The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) recently announced their 19-member squad for the prestigious 50-over tournament, with Samson notably missing from the lineup. According to a report in the Indian Express, Samson had informed the KCA about his unavailability for the camp, which was held in Wayanad, leading to his exclusion from the final squad.
The decision to omit Samson from the squad comes after the KCA made it clear that only players who attended the preparatory camp and participated in the practice sessions were considered for selection. The camp, which included two practice games at Krishnagiri Stadium in Wayanad, was seen as a crucial phase in finalizing the squad for the upcoming tournament. Despite being named among the 30 probables for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Samson’s failure to report for the camp led to his exclusion from the final 19-member squad.
Samson, who recently led Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 competition, had a solid outing, with Kerala finishing third in their group, just missing out on a knockout spot. Samson’s leadership was instrumental in Kerala’s T20 campaign, but it appears that his absence from the camp overshadowed his previous performances. The 30-year-old had hoped to make a mark in the 50-over format but will now miss the opportunity to feature in Kerala's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad.
The squad, led by Salman Nizar, also saw the exclusion of another prominent Kerala player, Sachin Baby, who failed to recover in time from a groin injury. Baby’s absence further weakened the squad, which will now rely on other key players to perform well in the tournament. Among the notable names included in the squad are Mohammed Azharuddeen (wicketkeeper), Basil Thampi, Sijomon Joseph, and R. Ashwin, who will all be key figures in Kerala's campaign.
Here is a look at Kerala's 19-player squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25:
Squad: Salman Nizar (captain), Rohan Kunnummal, Shoun Roger, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wicketkeeper), Anand Krishnan, Krishna Prasad, Ahammed Imran, Jalaj Saxena, Aditya Anand Sarvate, Sijomon Joseph, Basil Thampi, Basil NP, Nidheesh MD, Eden Apple Tom, Sharafuddeen NM, Akhil Scaria, Vishweshwar Suresh, Vaishak Chandran, Ajnas M (wicketkeeper).
Kerala has been placed in Group E for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, alongside teams like Baroda, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Bengal, Tripura, and Bihar. The team will begin their campaign on December 23, facing Baroda in Hyderabad. With a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, Kerala will look to put up a strong performance and make a deep run in the tournament, despite the absence of Samson and Baby.
While the exclusion of Sanju Samson is a major talking point, it is also a reminder of the importance of discipline and commitment at the grassroots level. The KCA has made it clear that the selection process will prioritize those who attend the training camps, setting a precedent for future tournaments. For now, Kerala’s focus will shift to the upcoming matches, and fans will be hoping for a strong team effort in the absence of some of their key players
