Sanju Samson Vijay Hazare Trophy Absence Angers BCCI, ODI Spot in Doubt
Sanju Samson Vijay Hazare Trophy Controversy Raises Questions About ODI Future. Sanju Samson is under scrutiny by the BCCI. He skipped the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a key domestic cricket tournament. The decision, allegedly unjustified, could harm his ICC Champions Trophy 2025 selection. BCCI officials and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel are unhappy. They are finalizing the team for India’s ODI series with England and the Champions Trophy.
BCCI Frustration Over Samson’s Absence
The Times of India says the Indian cricket board and selectors were unhappy with Samson missing the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The KCA also excluded the player from its squad for missing a camp.
KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar explained, “The decision was made due to a lack of proper confirmation from Samson.”
BCCI sources emphasized the importance of domestic cricket.
“The instructions are clear on domestic cricket and everyone knows what happened with Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer when they missed Ranji Trophy matches without any valid reason. They lost the central contracts. Even in Samson’s case, the board and the selectors weren’t given a clear reason behind him missing from the tournament,” BCCI sources told The Times of India.
Domestic Cricket: A Key Factor for National Selection
The BCCI has long prioritized domestic cricket as a pathway to the national team. Samson’s absence raises concerns. He competes with Pant, Rahul, and Jurel for the wicket-keeper spot in the Champions Trophy squad.
Samson was picked for the T20I series against England. But, his ODI future is uncertain.
Tension Between Samson and Kerala Cricket Association
A strained relationship with the KCA has reportedly contributed to Samson’s decision. BCCI insiders argue that personal differences cannot justify missing key tournaments, like the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
“The selectors want a valid reason otherwise he will be kept out of the ODI team. Samson doesn’t share a good bond with KCA but he need to put the differnces aside to play domestic cricket. The misunderstanding is not the solid reason behind missing games,” the source added.
Competitive Landscape for Wicket-Keepers
The battle for a spot in the Champions Trophy squad is heating up. With the return of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, and the rise of Dhruv Jurel, the selectors face tough choices. Samson’s absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy could weaken his case. His competitors have shown a commitment to domestic cricket.
Sanju Samson’s decision to skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy has put his ODI career at risk. The BCCI is strict about domestic tournaments. The Kerala-born cricketer must address these concerns quickly. It’s his only hope of making India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
