Kerala's Sanju Samson Omitted from Vijay Hazare Trophy Squad Due to Absence from Camp

Sanju Samson Dropped from Kerala's Squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy After Missing Preparatory Camp

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (March 1, 2023) - Sanju Samson, the star Indian cricketer who captained Kerala in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, has been dropped from the state team's squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) announced its 19-member squad for the tournament on Wednesday, with Samson's absence being a notable omission. Sources within the KCA have revealed that Samson missed the preparatory camp held ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which was one of the factors behind his exclusion.

Samson led Kerala to the quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 163 runs in five matches with a strike rate of 137.25. However, his commitment to his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Rajasthan Royals, and other professional obligations reportedly prevented him from attending the preparatory camp.

Under the leadership of new coach Satish Sharma, Kerala has been preparing for the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the past month. The team has played several practice matches and fitness tests to fine-tune their preparations.

Samson's absence from the squad has raised eyebrows among Kerala fans and pundits alike. The 28-year-old is one of the most experienced players in the side and his batting prowess could have been a significant asset for the team.

However, the KCA has maintained that the decision to drop Samson was based on the team's best interests. "We had a preparatory camp and those who attended the camp have been selected," said KCA president Sajan K. Varghese. "We can't have different rules for different players."

Kerala will begin their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign on March 5 against Tripura in Kolkata. The team has been placed in Group C alongside powerhouses such as Mumbai, Karnataka, and Punjab.

Despite Samson's absence, Kerala will be hoping to make a strong showing in the tournament with a squad that includes experienced campaigners such as Rohan Kunnummal, Sachin Baby, and Basil Thampi.

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😬 Sanju Samson dropped from Kerala's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad! The star cricketer missed the preparatory camp, leading to his exclusion from the 19-member squad. #CricketNews #VijayHazareTrophy
#SanjuSamson #KeralaCricket #VijayHazareTrophy #SyedMushtaqAliTrophy