Sun Jan 19 13:13:55 UTC 2025: ## Sanju Samson’s Omission From Champions Trophy Squad Explained: KCA President Reveals Details
**NEW DELHI** – The exclusion of star wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson from India’s 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked considerable debate. While speculation pointed to his absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy as a contributing factor, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) President, Jayesh George, has shed light on the situation.
George revealed that Samson informed the KCA of his unavailability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy via a single text message, citing personal reasons. While Samson later expressed his availability for selection, his inconsistent approach to team commitments, according to George, impacted his chances. George noted that Samson was considered an ideal candidate for captaincy, given his white-ball leadership experience, but his unpredictable availability hindered the selection process.
This explanation comes after the BCCI selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, announced the squad on January 18th for India’s opening Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh on February 20th. The tournament begins on February 19th.
Despite a strong showing in the recent South Africa T20I series, where Samson scored 216 runs at an average of 72, including two centuries, he was overlooked for the prestigious tournament. His omission leaves many questioning the selection criteria and the importance of consistent availability for national team selection.
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