20 January,2025 10:34 PM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | mid-day online correspondent
Sanju Samson (Pic: AFP)
Sanju Samson will miss Kerala's sixth round Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh, beginning here on January 23, as he has been included in India squad for the five-match T20I series against England.
India will face England from January 22 at Kolkata and the rubber will culminate on February 2 at Mumbai.
Unless Samson does not get released from India squad, the wicketkeeper batter will also miss the final Group C match against Bihar, starting on January 30.
However, the 30-year-old has a chance to play for Kerala in the knockout phase as the state team is currently placed second in the group with 18 points behind leaders Haryana (20 points).
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Samson was also not selected to play for Kerala in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy after he skipped a three-day camp preceding the tournament.
It also played a part in Samson not getting considered to India's ODI squad against England and for the Champions Trophy, despite making a hundred against South Africa at Paarl late last year.
Sachin Baby will lead Kerala, while middle-order batter Vishnu Vinod, who was dropped after the second match, has been included in the 15-member squad.
Kerala squad: Sachin Baby (captain), Rohan S Kunnummal, Baba Aparajith, Vishnu Vinod, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Akshay Chandran, Shoun Roger, Jalaj Saxena, Salman Nizar, Aditya Sarwate, Basil Thampi, MD Nidheesh, NP Basil, NM Sharafuddeen, EM Sreehari.
(With agency inputs)