January wasn’t that great for Sanju Samson. After finally coming good in 2024 and showing his true potential, the wicketkeeper has started 2025 on such a poor note that he seems like the Samson of old. And it’s not just his on-field performance. It all started in December when it was revealed that he wasn’t included in Kerala’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT).
BCCI probed Sanju Samson & KCA’s issue
There were reports that all was not well between Samson and the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). Subsequently, when the time arrived for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to announce the India cricket team’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, the BCCI wasn’t too pleased with what had happened.
VHT was the domestic preparatory event before the Champions Trophy 2025, and Samson was probably the third choice wicketkeeper after KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, but he, for whatever reason, didn’t play. BCCI launched a probe before naming the squad.
Samson misses out on India’s Champions Trophy squad
When the squad was finally revealed by BCCI Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar and ODI captain Rohit Sharma on January 18 at the Wankhede Stadium, Samson wasn’t included. It was no shocker. Everyone understood that the wicketkeeper has a great ODI record, but if he doesn’t play List A cricket when there are no ODIs to be played, how can he be selected?
Naturally, he wasn’t named in the India vs. England ODI series as well. But he wasn’t fully out. He still had a chance to show what great nick he was in the T20I series. So what if he wasn’t on the flight to Dubai directly? He could still be there by being named one of the reserves for the ICC Champions Trophy.
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Samson’s bouncer weakness and horrid form
Well, he’s botched that opportunity as well. In the ongoing T20I series against England, Samson has scored just 35 in 4 matches at less than a run-a-ball. On top of this, his weakness against the short-pitch deliveries has also been exposed. In four matches, he’s been caught by bouncers. Thrice it was Jofra Archer, and then yesterday (January 31) it was Saqib Mahmood.
Not only has he not made his case for the ICC Champions Trophy, but he’s put his spot in the Indian T20I team in danger as well. You have to wonder, if he doesn’t score in the India vs. England 5th T20I, will he get picked in the next series? If either Yashasvi Jaiswal or Shubman Gill is available, he might not find a spot in the starting XI.
Sanju Samson in ongoing India vs England T20Is
| Matches | Balls | Runs | Out | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 35 | 36 | 4 | 8.75 | 97.22 |
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