Kerala Cricket Association president Jayesh George criticized Indian batsman Sanju Samson for missing out on the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is believed to be one of the main reasons why he was not included in the Champions Trophy squad. of India announced on Saturday, January 18.

Samson led Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last December. However, he decided not to attend the team’s three-day preparatory camp before the 50-and-over tournament.

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The KCA president highlights the importance of the commitment of the state team

According to MediaOne, KCA president Jayesh George said he was not sure whether Sanju Samson’s absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy led to his exclusion from the Champions Trophy team. Samson was not included after he sent a brief message indicating he was not available for camp. This was surprising as he is Kerala’s white-ball captain and led them in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

“I’m not sure if Samson’s absence from the tournament was the reason he was excluded. The reason he was not added to Vijay Hazare’s team was because he sent a one-line text message saying that he would not be available for the 30-member preparatory 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,” he said.

Jayesh George emphasized that KCA has a strict policy that all players, including Sanju Samson, must abide by. While acknowledging Samson’s talent and contribution to Kerala cricket, George questioned the idea of ​​players joining the team only when it is convenient, highlighting the importance of commitment to the state team.

“So we went ahead and announced the team and then he sent a message saying he was available for selection. Be it Sanju Samson or any other player, KCA has a policy that must be respected. We all know that Sanju doesn’t need a camp to join the team, but is the Kerala team one that he can come and represent only when he feels like it? How did Samson get into the Indian team? It was only through the KCA. That doesn’t mean that you turn up only when you feel like being in the Kerala team,” he added.

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Tharoor criticizes KCA for Samson’s exclusion

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the Kerala Cricket Association. He accused the KCA of harming Sanju Samson’s career. Tharoor noted that Samson had informed the KCA in advance. He had said he would miss training camp. Despite this, Samson was eliminated from the team. This decision affected his chances of being selected for the Indian team.

“The sorry saga of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson (the player wrote to KCA in advance, lamenting his inability to attend a training camp between the SMA tournaments and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and was promptly dropped from the team) now it’s over. resulted in Sanju’s exclusion from the Indian team,” he said.

Shashi Tharoor emphasizes Samson’s achievements, including a 212* in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and an ODI average of 56.66. He claimed that the decision hurt both Samson’s career and Kerala’s chances as they failed to reach the quarter-finals.

“A batsman who has a highest score of 212* in Hazare, who averages 56.66 in ODIs for India (including a century in his last outing, against South Africa) is having his career destroyed by the egos of cricket administrators. Does it not bother the KCA bosses that by leaving out Sanju, they ensured that Kerala did not even reach the Hazare quarter-finals? Where does this leave you? ”he added.

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