Sanju Samson closes ICC Champions Trophy door on himself after Vijay Hazare Trophy snub

Just when everything was going right, life has taken a turn for Sanju Samson. In November, the stylish batter became the first man to hit three T20I hundreds in a year. A month later, he is somehow not even included in Kerala’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2024-25. After failing to turn up to the preparatory camp organised by the Kerala Cricket Association, Samson was named captain of the side, and Salman Nizar was announced as Kerala’s leader.

Stiff competition from KL Rahul & Rishabh Pant

The domestic 50-over tournament was supposed to be Samson’s last chance at making it to the India cricket team’s ODI side with the ICC Champions Trophy coming up. But how can he contend for a place now? Had he lit things up, he might have had an outside chance. But now, how can he go against the likes of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant?

Team India has played just three ODIs in 2024. Gone to Sri Lanka for a 3-match series, Samson wasn’t considered. Both Rahul and Pant were included, and although things didn’t go Team India’s way, the team is expected to remain the same, more or less.

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Should Team India pick Samson for ICC Champions Trophy?

Samson might have earned himself some praise after his exceptional performances in T20Is this year. He could have been added to the squad for the upcoming England ODI series, which kicks off a couple of weeks after VHT ends. Right now, Samson hasn’t played a 50-over match since December 2023.

How can Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir add someone to the team for the only lead-up series to the ICC Champions Trophy who hasn’t played a 50-over match in 14 months? No one can deny his talent, but won’t it be wise to select someone like Tilak Varma, who’s a middle-order batter like him, has been in red-hot form, and will feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?

Sanju Samson’s record in ODI & List A