NEW DELHI: BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media in Mumbai on Saturday to announce India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Among the key talking points was the omission of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson from the team.
Samson last represented India in the T20I series against South Africa in November last year, where he delivered two remarkable centuries. His exceptional form had sparked calls for his inclusion alongside KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as a wicketkeeping option.
However, Samson’s absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over domestic tournament, may have played a role in his exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad.
Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) president Jayesh George criticised Samson for his approach, revealing that the batter had informed the association of his unavailability with just a ‘one-line text’.
Speaking about Samson’s absence, George said, “I am not sure if Samson missing the tournament was the reason he was excluded. The reason he was not added in 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.”
“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? 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 for the Kerala team,” George told MediaOne.
Meanwhile, Samson has been named in the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting February 22. He is one of two wicketkeepers in the squad, alongside Dhruv Jurel.
The series opener is scheduled for Wednesday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The second T20I will take place on January 25 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, followed by the third on January 28 at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
The fourth game will be held on January 31 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, with the fifth and final T20I slated for February 2 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.