Why Sanju Samson was snubbed from Duleep Trophy 2025?
Sanju Samson, the wicket-keeper batter of India and the skipper of Rajasthan Royals 2025, had a pretty underwhelming regional and international cricket in the year 2024 and 2025. His injury crisis adding onto this had been a serious crisis for the teams. Why Sanju Samson was snubbed from Duleep Trophy 2025?
Exclusion Sparks Controversy
Sanju Samson, the talented Kerala batter and Rajasthan Royals captain, faced a significant setback on August 6, 2025, as he was omitted from the South Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. The snub came on the same day reports emerged that Samson had rejected a potential move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the IPL trade window.
Despite his leadership and consistent performances in the IPL, the South Zone selection committee overlooked him, favoring players with stronger red-ball credentials. This decision has raised eyebrows, given Samson’s stature and the inclusion of five other Kerala players in the squad.
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Thalaivan Sargunam Xavier, the South Zone selection committee chairman, justified the exclusion, stating, “Sanju Samson was not selected because he was unavailable for much of last year’s Ranji Trophy season.” This has fueled debates about Samson’s prioritization of international and franchise commitments over domestic red-ball cricket.
Domestic Neglect or Unfair Punishment?
The selectors’ emphasis on consistent Ranji Trophy performances led to the inclusion of wicketkeepers like Narayan Jagadeesan and Ricky Bhui, who have excelled in domestic red-ball cricket. Jagadeesan, notably, was a cover for Rishabh Pant in the ongoing England series, showcasing his form.
Xavier explained, “This squad was picked based on players who have consistently performed well in the Ranji Trophy and during India A tours.” Samson’s limited participation in Kerala’s historic Ranji Trophy final run last season, due to injuries and international duties, appears to have cost him dearly.
With Tilak Varma leading the South Zone and emerging talents like Devdutt Padikkal in the squad, Samson’s absence is stark. As speculation about his T20I spot grows with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s return, this snub raises questions about whether Samson is being unfairly targeted or simply paying the price for prioritizing franchise cricket.
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