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Over the years, several players have waited for an opportunity to prove their skills in Indian cricket. However, no one has waited until the point of Sanju Samson– the sensational wicket-keeper batsman who has time and again proved his mettle and waited for consistent opportunities in Indian cricket.
Sanju was recently kept out of the Indian team for the Champions Trophy 2025 and ODI series against England. Many, including Sanju’s father Samson Viswanath, have pointed out that the reason for Sanju’s exclusion from the team was due to a bias against the player by the player. Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) officials who rejected him as the star of the state team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Sanju’s father pointed out KCA’s bias against his son
Sanju’s father expressed his disappointment over his son’s exclusion from the Kerala team, a decision that eventually led to Sanju being left out of the Indian team for the Champions Trophy. Although Viswanath refrained from directly criticizing KCA, his frustration with the selection process is clearly visible. In an interview with Mathrubhumi.comexplained that the decision to drop Sanju from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad was taken before the training camp began.
“We have never raised our voices before, but this time, the situation is different.” Vishwanath said, alluding to the injustice he feels his son has suffered. However, despite his frustrations, Viswanath stressed the importance of resolving the issue amicably and expressed his openness to discuss any possible oversights.
“We just want justice and for my son to have a fair chance to play.” Vishwanath concluded, stressing the importance of equal opportunities in the Kerala team for his son and hoping that the matter would be dealt with calmly and clearly.
Sanju’s exclusion from the Kerala and India team has caused a great deal of controversy, and has garnered support from public figures such as a politician. Shashi Tharoorwho has requested that the KCA guarantee a more transparent and equitable selection process. While Viswanath stopped short of accusing the KCA of any wrongdoing, his comments underscore the emotional weight of the situation as both he and Sanju hope for a chance to compete at the highest level, free from the influence of politics internal
Read also: Champions Trophy 2025: Shashi Tharoor hits out at KCA after Sanju Samson’s exclusion from India’s squad
The KCA revealed the reasons behind Sanju’s exclusion from the Kerala team
Amid widespread criticism from the cricket community over the exclusion row, KCA president Jayesh George explained the reason why the 30-year-old was left out of the state team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy during a discussion with MediaOne.
“I’m not sure if Samson missing the tournament was the reason he was dropped. The reason he wasn’t added to Vijay Hazare’s squad was because he sent a one-line message saying he didn’t he would be available for the 30-member prep camp. We were all under the impression that he would lead the team as he is our white-ball captain and had also led the SMAT season.” said George.
However, George denied any punitive action against Sanju and further added that the decision to drop Sanju from the team was only due to compliance with the rules and regulations of the state team.
“We went ahead and announced the squad and later he sent a message that he was available for selection. Be it Sanju Samson or any other player, the KCA has a policy that needs to be respected. We all know that Sanju doesn’t need a camp to get into the squad, but the Kerala team is the one who can come and represent only when he feels like it?How did Samson get to the Indian team, it was only through the KCA appear only when you feel like it for the Kerala team”, George concluded.
