Star India wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson's father Samson Viswanath criticised the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) and alleged that some officials in the board are actively blocking cricketing opportunities for his son. His reaction came after Sanju missed his spot in India's Champions Trophy 2025 squad.
Reportedly, Sanju's decision to skip the 2024-25 edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy went against him and he was not considered in Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team for the Champions Trophy 2025 despite smashing a ton his last ODI against South Africa and performing well in T20Is.
Sanju was part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup winning team and he also captained Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year but was not included in the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. KCA secretary and president in the past had said that Samson was ignored for skipping the team’s three-day preparatory camp in Wayanad. However, according to Sanju’s father, it was already known that Sanju would not be selected for the tournament (Vijay Hazare Trophy). He accused the KCA of holding a grudge against his son and added that the decision to exclude Sanju was made long before the tournament.
“There are people within KCA who have something against my child," Samson was quoted as saying by Mathrubhumi.com as per news18. “We’ve never spoken out against the association before, but this time, it’s become too much. Sanju isn’t the only one who didn’t attend the camp; yet other players in the same situation were allowed to play," he added.
“It’s not about Jayesh George (KCA president) or Vinod (KCA secretary); it’s some small people in between who turn everything into poison over trivial matters," he said.
Samson is currently in Kolkata along with Suryakumar Yadav-led side who are preparing for the T20I series against England which is scheduled to start from January 22. Team India are scheduled to play five T20Is against England.