Reports: Sanju Samson to miss out on Champions Trophy 2025 berth, BCCI set to probe VHT 2025 absence

After having a good run in the T20Is, Sanju Samson has become a fair contender for position in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. The batter smashed 111 runs off 47 balls against Bangladesh and 107 runs off 50 balls against South Africa. But after all the impressive performances, the right-handed batter might miss the United Arab Emirates flight. 

The 30-year-old’s decision to skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy has not gone down well with the selectors and they are looking at Dhruv Jurel as another wicketkeeping option with Rishabh Pant already in the fray. While Pant was the default choice, another wicketkeeper who was tussling for the spot along with Sanju and Jurel was Ishan Kishan. 

As per OnManorama, the management was particularly unhappy with Sanju Samson missing the Kerala team's preparatory camp ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. It is also reported that the wicketkeeper-batter had informed the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) about his unavailability for the camp but the management decided to include only those players who were involved in sessions.

Not only Sanju, but another key player, Sachin Baby was also unavailable, hence Salman Nizar was named as the Captain. The absence of star players impacted the team’s performance as Kerala won just two of their five matches and failed to qualify for the knockouts.

BCCI to probe Samson's absence in VHT 2025

Furthermore, the BCCI is all set to discuss the squad for the ODI series against England as well as the Champions Trophy 2025. However, before finalizing the squad, the selectors are reported to discuss the issue of Sanju Samson omitting the Vijay Hazare Trophy. It was revealed that the selection committee was unhappy about the Kerala-based batter not taking part in the coveted domestic tournament. Hence, they seek a valid reason from the wicketkeeper-batter for missing out on playing for Kerala. If the reply turns out to be unsatisfactory, this may lead to Samson getting axed from the Indian squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

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“The selectors would want a valid reason. Otherwise, it will be difficult to consider him for the ODI season. Samson has had a bitter history with the KCA, but that needs to be sorted out for him to play in domestic cricket,” the source was quoted by the Times of India (TOI).

“It can’t be that the state association and him have a misunderstanding, and he misses out on game time. He did play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy preceding the Vijay Hazare Trophy,” the source concluded.