In shocking turn of events, Sanju Samson has been dropped from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare squad. Despite his contributions in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy recently, Samson finds himself in the sidelines as Kerala has announced a 19-man squad for the tournament which starts on December 21. Salman Nizar has been given the captaincy of the side that boasts of experience-laden cricketers in Sijomon Joseph, Basil Thampi, and Mohammed Azharuddeen.
Exceptional Performance In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Samson’s exclusion has come as a shock given his good form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He led Kerala in five of their six matches and proved his class by scoring 136 runs at a brisk strike rate of 149.45. His performances were not only about his batting but also about his leadership skills in the domestic circuit.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Why Is Samson Dropped?
The contributions notwithstanding, the selectors for Kerala preferred not to take Samson to the squad for 50 over. This move has come in as a lot of rumors are flying around in regard to the possible change of team tactics or a desire to check on new combinations. He could also be for work-load management in his role, considering he plays regularly for the international team.
Who’ll Lead Kerala In Vijay Hazare Trophy?
The Vijay Hazare Trophy squad of Kerala will be led by Salman Nizar and has a perfect blend of youth and experience. Players like Basil Thampi and Mohammed Azharuddeen are expected to be the key players in this campaign. Kerala is in Group E and will be playing against Baroda, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Bengal, Tripura, and Bihar. They start their campaign on December 23 in Hyderabad and will face Baroda in their first match.
Samson’s Omission: A Setback For Kerala?
While the squad looks strong, Samson’s omission leaves a gap in the middle order. Known for his ability to stabilize innings and accelerate when needed, Samson’s experience in the 50-over format could have been crucial for Kerala. His absence might be an opportunity for younger players to step up, but it also increases the pressure on seasoned campaigners like Salman Nizar and Basil Thampi to deliver.
Crucial Tournament For Kerala
This is the right time for Kerala to establish itself in the domestic arena. Kerala faces the likes of Madhya Pradesh and Bengal in Group E, and it will take everything out of them to push ahead. All eyes will be on how the team will adapt without Samson and if they can compete with stronger teams.
As Kerala heads into the championship, all eyes are keenly glued to this as an important tournament and perhaps, in particular, they would be talking about the bold move of excluding Samson for the same.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Kerala Squad
Salman Nizar (c), Rohan Kunnummal, Aditya Anand, Shoun Roger, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Anand Krishnan, Krishna Prasad, Ahammed Imran, Jalaj Saxena, Sarvate, Sijomon Joseph, Akhil Scaria, Basil Thampi, Basil NP, Nidheesh MD, Eden Apple Tom, Sharafuddeen NM, Vishweshwar Suresh, Vaishak Chandran, Ajnas M (wk)
