• Source:JND
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Kerala Cricket Association president Jayesh George strongly criticized wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, suggesting that his absence from the state's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad may have led to his omission from India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad.

The wicketkeeper-batter was left out of Kerala's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad as a consequence of missing the team's three-day preparatory camp in Wayanad.

Following the announcement of India's squad for the eight-team ICC on Saturday, Kerala Cricket Association president Jayesh George revealed that Samson's absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy was due to his non-participation in the team's preparatory camp.

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However, George expressed uncertainty about whether Samson's absence from the VHT was the sole reason for his exclusion from India's 50-over team.

“I am not sure if Samson missing the tournament was the reason he was excluded. The reason he was not added to the Vijay Hazare squad was because he sent a one-line text saying he would not be available for the 30-member preparatory camp. We were all of the impression that he would be leading the team since he is our white-ball captain and had led in the SMAT season as well," George was quoted as saying by MediaOne.

“So, we went ahead and announced the squad, and later he sent a message stating he is available for selection. Be it Sanju Samson or any other player, KCA has a policy in place that needs to be respected. We all know that Sanju does not need a camp to come into the squad, but is the Kerala team one that he can come and represent only when he feels like it? How did Samson reach the Indian team? It was only through the KCA. That doesn’t mean you turn up only when you feel like it for the Kerala team," he added.

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George disclosed that he received a call from Hemang Amin, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Saturday morning to inquire about Samson's absence from the domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“Heman Amin asked me if there was disciplinary action taken against Samson that held him back from playing in the Vijay Hazare games. I replied in the negative, and he wouldn’t have been up for Champions Trophy consideration had I suggested otherwise."

Samson has been in impressive form for India in white-ball cricket, particularly in T20Is, where he has scored three centuries in his last five appearances.