Shashi Tharoor Criticizes KCA for Sanju Samson’s Exclusion from Champions Trophy Squad

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has criticized the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for dropping Sanju Samson from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, which he believes contributed to Samson’s exclusion from India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team. Samson, despite his impressive ODI record, was overlooked in favor of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Tharoor accused KCA administrators of mishandling the situation, which he says has harmed Samson’s career, highlighting his stellar performances, including an ODI average of 56.66.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has held the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) responsible for Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Samson was overlooked in favor of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as the team’s two wicketkeeper-batters in the 15-member squad.

Tharoor attributed Samson’s exclusion from the national team to KCA’s decision to drop him from the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 squad. According to Tharoor, Samson had informed the KCA well in advance about his inability to attend the training camp for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, yet the association removed him from the squad.

“The unfortunate story of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson continues,” Tharoor posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Despite Samson notifying the KCA about his unavailability for a training camp, they dropped him from the Vijay Hazare squad. This decision not only sidelined a batsman with a highest score of 212* in the Hazare Trophy and an ODI average of 56.66 for India, but also ensured Kerala didn’t even reach the quarter-finals. Where does this leave Sanju’s career?”

Samson’s ODI Performance

Sanju Samson has been in remarkable form, registering three centuries in his last five T20I innings. In ODIs, he has scored 510 runs in 14 innings at an impressive average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60, with one century and three fifties to his name. Despite these performances, the team management preferred Rishabh Pant, who was also prioritized during the T20 World Cup 2024.

Tharoor criticized the KCA’s handling of the situation, claiming their actions were detrimental to Samson’s career and Kerala cricket’s progress.

source : India Today