Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 edition, there are still some worries regarding the squad. One concern arose due to the non-participation of India’s young Wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson, who was unavailable for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. According to The Times of India, the BCCI is likely to probe into the above-mentioned issue. Sanju Samson represents the state of Kerala in domestic cricket.
The move came after the BCCI made it mandatory for all players to represent their respective state teams in domestic cricket. Senior players such as Virat Koli and Indian skipper Rohit Sharma are also to be seen playing for their state teams. The BCCI is trying to bring back the COVID-19 rules under action, which also underlines some major restrictions on family members staying with the players amidst the tournaments.
“The selectors and the board have been very clear on the importance of domestic cricket. Last year, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer lost central contracts for missing domestic matches without seeking permission,” TOI quoted a source as saying.
“Even in Samson’s case, the board and selectors were not given any reason why he missed the tournament. All that is known so far is that he spends much of his time in Dubai,” he added.
“The selectors would want a valid reason. Otherwise, it will be difficult to consider him for the ODI season. Samson has had a bitter history with the KCA, but that needs to be sorted out for him to play in domestic cricket. It can’t be that the state association and him misunderstand, and he misses out on game time. He did play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy preceding the Vijay Hazare Trophy,” he said.
