Kerala Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 Squad and Schedule: Sanju Samson Left Out, Salman Nizar to Lead

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Kerala's preparation for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 has taken an unexpected turn with the exclusion of Sanju Samson, one of their most experienced and impactful players.

Samson, a prominent name in Indian cricket and a seasoned performer in the domestic circuit, was left out of the 19-member squad announced for the tournament starting on December 21.

Sanju Samson's exclusion has undoubtedly been the most discussed aspect of Kerala's squad announcement. The wicketkeeper-batter has been a pivotal figure for Kerala, particularly in white-ball cricket. Along with Sanju Samson, senior batter Sachin Baby is also absent with an injury, while Baba Aparajith is also left out due to fitness issues.

In the absence of Samson, Kerala has turned to Salman Nizar to lead the team. Nizar's appointment as captain indicates a shift towards nurturing young talent and fostering a fresh approach. The southpaw has scored prolifically in the domestic circuit and also had a magnificent outing in the inaugural Kerala Cricket League (KCL).

Despite the absence of Samson, Kerala's squad boasts a mix of experience and youthful exuberance. Mohammed Azharuddeen, known for his explosive batting style, will be a key figure at the top of the order. Rohan Kunnummal is also a key player for them at the top of the order.

In the bowling department, the inclusion of Basil Thampi adds firepower and reliability. The pacer, who has represented India in T20Is, brings with him a wealth of experience in high-pressure situations. His ability to deliver in crunch moments will be vital for Kerala's campaign. Sijomon Joseph and Jalaj Saxena, two versatile all-rounders, also strengthen the side, offering depth in both batting and bowling. Another key member is Akhil Scaria, who had a superb outing in the KCL and then had another fantastic performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Kerala's full squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25

Salman Nizar (c), Rohan Kunnummal, Shoun Roger, Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), Anand Krishnan, Krishna Prasad, Ahammed Imran, Jalaj Saxena, Aditya Sarvate, Sijomon Joseph, Basil Thampi, Basil NP, Nidheesh MD, Eden Apple Tom, Sharafuddeen NM, Akhil Scaria, Vishweshwar Suresh, Vaishak Chandran, Ajnas M (wk)

Kerala VHT 2024-25 Schedule

Kerala is slotted in Group E of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. All of their group stage matches will be played in Hyderabad as the Southern state starts the campaign against Baroda on December 23.

Kerala vs Baroda (December 23)
Kerala vs Madhya Pradesh (December 26)
Kerala vs Delhi (December 28)
Kerala vs Bengal (December 31)
Kerala vs Tripura (January 3)
Kerala vs Bihar (January 5)