Sanju Samson’s father criticizes Kerala Cricket Association for son’s exclusion from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, calling for fair treatment and a chance to resolve the issue.
New Delhi: Reports suggest that Sanju Samson opted not to attend the Kerala camp organized by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). His decision to stay back led to his exclusion from the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which upset the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar. As a result, Samson was not included in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
India has announced their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with the goal of securing their second ICC title within a year, following their victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. While the squad includes several established players, one notable absentee is wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. Reports had suggested that Samson was being considered for the wicketkeeper role, but he ultimately missed out on selection.
Despite being in the mix for the wicketkeeper role, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were chosen over Sanju Samson for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Samson’s father has now voiced his frustration, criticizing the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for his son’s exclusion from the squad. He expressed disappointment over the decision, stating that the KCA’s actions contributed to Samson’s omission from the prestigious tournament.
Sanju Samson’s exclusion from the India squad for the ODI series against England and the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked controversy, with reports revealing that the decision stemmed from his absence from the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) camp. This move by Samson, who opted not to attend the camp, reportedly led to the KCA not selecting him for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which did not sit well with the BCCI selection committee, resulting in his exclusion from both the England series and the ICC tournament.
Sanju Samson’s Father Expresses Discontent with KCA
In a candid interview with Mathrubhumi.com, Sanju Samson’s father, Samson Viswanath, expressed frustration towards the KCA, accusing certain members within the association of harboring a grudge against his son. He pointed out that several other players who also missed the camp were still given a chance to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, making his son’s exclusion unfair.
Viswanath emphasized that their family had remained silent on such matters in the past, but the situation had now escalated to a point where they could no longer stay quiet. He called for a fair chance for his son to play, noting that they are open to resolving any issues with the KCA through dialogue. “We are sportsmen, not interested in the business of sports. All I want is for my son to be given a fair chance to play,” Viswanath said, signaling his willingness to address any issues with the KCA directly.