Sanju Samson has confirmed his availability for the remainder of Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign.
India wicket-keeper Sanju Samson has confirmed his availability to feature in the remainder of the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament but the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) remains undecided on his inclusion after the team’s second-round match was completed on Thursday.
Samson, who led Kerala during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament earlier this month, was surprisingly omitted when Kerala announced its squad for the 50-overs domestic tournament. The KCA had said last week that Samson was excluded from the 15-member team after failing to report for a preparatory camp held in Wayanad between December 13 and 17.
“Sanju had sent an email stating that he would not be available for the camp. The team had a short camp in Wayanad without him. Naturally, we only considered those who were part of the sessions for selection. There has been no further discussion with him on the matter,” KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar had told The Indian Express on December 18.
It has now been learnt that Samson informed his availability to rejoin the Kerala squad this week for the remaining four Group E games in Hyderabad. However, the KCA has yet to take a call on drafting him back into the team.
“Sanju has updated us that he is available for selection over the last two days. We are yet to take a call on his inclusion. There is a full contingent already there in Hyderabad and only two games have been played,” Kumar told The Indian Express on Thursday. Kumar also confirmed that Sachin Baby’s inclusion is also unlikely as the veteran batter is yet to recovery fully from an injury sustained during the SMAT season.
Kerala endured a 62-run defeat against Baroda in their opening game after conceding a massive 403-run total. Thursday’s batting collapse had Kerala packed for 160 before Madhya Pradesh slipped to 99 for five in the run-chase that was washed out due to rain.
Samson smashed three centuries within his last five T20I appearances for India against South Africa and Bangladesh. Samson’s last 50-over assignment also came in India colours during the tour to South Africa in December 2023. Samson’s maiden hundred – an unbeaten 108 – in the series decider set up a 78-run win for India. Samson is Kerala’s third-highest (1,895) run-scorer in List A cricket, holding a career-best 212* in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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