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Sanju Samson’s Champions Trophy snub result of KCA miscommunication?

Sanju Samson’s Champions Trophy snub result of KCA miscommunication?

Sanju Samson last played ODI/List A cricket match back in December 2023.

Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma announced Team India’s ICC Champions Trophy squad on January 18 in Mumbai. Guess what? Sanju Samson again missed out on a spot, with the side preferring Rishabh Pant over him. But was it really the ‘Rishabh Pant effect’ or did Samson make a mistake by not featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT)? Was it really his mistake or did the miscommunication between the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) and him prove costly?

Sanju Samson’s stellar form & record ignored by Rohit?

Sanju Samson’s ODI numbers for India make a compelling case for his inclusion. With an average of 56.66 and a century in his last outing against South Africa, the wicketkeeper-batter has consistently delivered when given opportunities. However, the selectors chose KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as their preferred options, citing Pant’s left-handed batting as a strategic asset in India’s right-heavy lineup. Samson’s stellar T20I performances, including three hundreds in five matches, only add to the frustration of his supporters.

Since that dreaded final on Nov 19, 2023, Samson has scored 556 runs in 14 innings across ODIs and T20Is at an average of 46.33. It was a breakout 2024 for him. His competitor Rishabh Pant scored 905 runs in 30 innings across formats at an average of 33.51. Clearly, Samson had better stats.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy Fallout

A critical factor in Samson’s exclusion appears to be his absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT), where domestic performances often influence national selections. Samson reportedly informed the KCA in advance of his unavailability for the preparatory camp, but the association decided against including him in the squad. This decision sidelined one of Kerala’s most talented players and likely hurt Samson’s chances of securing a Champions Trophy spot. Kerala’s poor performance in the VHT only deepened the debate, as the team finished fifth in their group and failed to make the quarterfinals. BCCI is reportedly looking to dive deep into this matter of miscommunication.

A standout showing at the VHT could have put immense pressure on the selectors to include him, especially given his strong ODI record for India. Instead, his absence gave them a convenient reason to look elsewhere.

“Egos of administers” ruined Samson’s case?

Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor criticized the KCA, accusing the association of mishandling the situation and allowing administrative egos to overshadow merit. Tharoor’s scathing remarks on social media pointed out the irony of dropping a player with a track record of excellence, ultimately harming both Kerala’s and Samson’s prospects.

“The sorry saga of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson—the player wrote to KCA in advance, regretting his inability to attend a training camp between the SMA and the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments and was promptly dropped from the squad—has now resulted in Sanju’s exclusion from the Indian team. A batsman who has a highest score of 212* in the Hazare and who averages 56.66 in ODIs for India (including a century in his last outing, against South Africa) is having his career destroyed by the egos of cricket administrators. Doesn’t it bother the KCA bosses that by leaving Sanju out, they ensured Kerala didn’t even reach the quarterfinals of the Hazare? Where does this leave him?” wrote Tharoor on his Twitter.

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