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Over the years, several players have waited for an opportunity to prove their skills in Indian cricket. However, none has waited to the extent of Sanju Samson– the sensational wicket-keeper batter who has time and again proved his mettle and waited for consistent chances in Indian cricket.
Recently, Sanju was kept out of the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 and ODI series against England. Many including Sanju’s father Samson Viswanath have pointed out that the reason behind Sanju’s exclusion from the squad was due to bias against the player by Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) officials who snubbed him off featuring for the state’s team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Sanju’s father pointed out at KCA’s bias against his son
Sanju’s father voiced his disappointment over his son’s exclusion from the Kerala squad, a decision that ultimately led to Sanju being left out of the Indian team for the Champions Trophy. Although Viswanath refrained from directly criticising KCA, his frustration with the selection process is clearly visible. In an interview with Mathrubhumi.com, he explained that the decision to exclude Sanju from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad was made before the training camp even began.
“We’ve never raised our voice before, but this time, the situation is different,” Vishwanath said, alluding to the unfairness he feels his son has endured. However, despite his frustrations, Viswanath stressed the importance of resolving the issue amicably and expressed openness to discussing any potential oversights.
“We just want fairness, and for my son to be given a fair chance to play,” Vishwanath concluded, stressing the importance of equality of opportunity in the Kerala squad for his son and hoping that the matter would be addressed with calm and clarity.
Sanju’s exclusion from the Kerala and India squad has sparked widespread controversy, drawing support from public figures like politician Shashi Tharoor, who has called for the KCA to ensure a more transparent and equitable selection process. While Viswanath stopped short of accusing the KCA of any wrongdoing, his comments underscore the emotional toll of the situation, as both he and Sanju hope for an opportunity to compete at the highest level, free from the influence of internal politics.
Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Shashi Tharoor blasts KCA after Sanju Samson’s exclusion from Team India’s squad
KCA revealed reasons behind Sanju’s exclusion from the Kerala squad
Amidst widespread criticism from the cricketing community over the exclusion row, the KCA President Jayesh George explained the reason why the 30-year-old was left out from the state’s team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy during a discussion with MediaOne.
“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,” George said.
However, George denied any punitive action against Sanju and further added that the decision of Sanju’s exclusion from the team was only due to the compliance with the state team’s rules and regulations.
“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 concluded.
