Kerala has created history by reaching the Ranji Trophy final for the first time, facing Vidarbha in Nagpur from February 26, 2025. However, Sanju Samson, Kerala’s most high-profile cricketer, is not part of the squad for the final. This has raised several questions among fans and cricket experts.
Why Is Sanju Samson Not Playing in the Ranji Trophy Final?
Despite expectations that Samson would participate in the knockout stages after missing out on India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad, he was ruled out due to an injury. The injury occurred during the fifth T20I between India and England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium when a delivery from Jofra Archer struck his finger.
A surgery was required for his finger injury, and as per reports from ESPN Cricinfo, Samson will be out of action for at least a month. This means he missed Kerala’s quarter-final, semi-final, and now the final.
Would Kerala Have Selected Samson If Fit?
There are speculations on whether Kerala would have picked Samson even if he was fit. Earlier in the domestic season, he had a dispute with the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) after failing to attend a team camp, leading to his omission from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. This impacted his chances of being considered for India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad.
However, Kerala’s chief selector P. Prashanth confirmed that Samson would have been selected for the final if not for the injury. He also stated that the team is confident in their squad to take on Vidarbha.
Sanju Samson’s Statement on Missing the Final
Sanju expressed disappointment over missing the final. In a recent statement, he said:
“Playing in the Ranji Trophy final was a dream. I wanted to be part of this historic moment for Kerala. Unfortunately, due to my injury, I cannot be on the field, but I will be in the stadium supporting my team.”
Kerala’s Journey to the Final
Kerala had a dramatic path to the final, winning both their quarter-final and semi-final based on first-innings leads:
| Stage | Opponent | First-Innings Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter-Final | Jammu & Kashmir | 1 run |
| Semi-Final | Gujarat | 2 runs |
Sanju Samson’s Return: IPL 2025 and Beyond
Though Samson is missing the Ranji final, he is expected to return for IPL 2025, where he will lead Rajasthan Royals in their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 in Hyderabad.
India’s ODI Team Future: Could Samson Replace Rohit Sharma?
There are discussions around a transition in India’s ODI team after the Champions Trophy 2025. Reports suggest that Rohit Sharma might retire from ODIs, and Sanju Samson is being considered as a potential replacement in the opening slot.
India’s possible post-Champions Trophy ODI XI:
| Position | Player |
| Opener | Sanju Samson |
| Opener | Shubman Gill (C) |
| No. 3 | Virat Kohli |
| No. 4 | Shreyas Iyer |
| Wicketkeeper | Rishabh Pant |
| All-rounder | Hardik Pandya |
| Spinner | Axar Patel |
| Spinner | Washington Sundar |
| Pacer | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Pacer | Arshdeep Singh |
| Pacer | Harshit Rana |
Sanju Samson’s absence from the Ranji Trophy final is a setback for Kerala, but the team remains hopeful of making history. Meanwhile, his return in IPL 2025 will be crucial for Rajasthan Royals and could define his future in India’s ODI squad. Fans will eagerly await his comeback on the field.
