Sanju Samson set to play for Kerala in second round of Ranji Trophy 2024-25

India National Cricket Team keeper-batter Sanju Samson hasn't been named in the Kerala squad for the upcoming first round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. However, as per the reports in Crictracker, it is learned that the right-hander will be joining the team in the second round and will even captain the team.

Sanju Samson wasn't considered for the first round of Ranji Trophy 2024-25 because of his international commitments. The keeper-batter has been named in the India National Cricket Team squad for the three-match T20I series against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team, starting Sunday (6th October) in Gwalior.

Kerala names Sachin Baby captain in absence of Sanju Samson

In his absence, Kerala have named Sachin Baby as the captain of the team for the first round of the tournament. The team will be opening their campaign in the tournament against Punjab at the St. Xavier’s College Ground in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram from 11th October.

If reports are to be believed then Samson will be returning to the team for the second game. The match will be played in Karnataka at Alur’s KSCA Three Ovals Stadium, starting October 18. The red-ball tournament will be important for him as he is yet to make his debut in Tests.

Samson has been in the decent touch in the domestic circuit. He last featured in the Duleep Trophy for India B. The keeper-batter slammed 196 runs in two games at an impressive average of 49.00 and a pacey strike rate of 95.60. He also hit a century in the last round of the tournament.

Kerala squad for the first round of Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Here's Kerala squad for the first round of Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Sachin Baby (c), Mohammed Azharuddeen, Vishnu Vinod, Baba Aparajith, Jalaj Saxena, Aditya Sarwate, KM Asif, Basil Thampi, MD Nidheesh, Akshay Chandran, Fazil Fanoos, Vathsal Govind, Krishna Prasad, Rohan Kunnummal, Salman Nizar

Sanju Samson to open batting in Bangladesh T20Is

Samson will be opening the innings for the India National Cricket Team in the three-match T20I series against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, ahead of the opening game, confirmed that the all-rounder will be batting at the top along with Abhishek Sharma.

Samson hasn't lived up to expectations in the T20I Cricket, and the upcoming series will be a massive opportunity for the keeper-batter to lock his place in the team. The right-hander hasn't got many opportunities as well, and with him now all set to open the innings, he would be keen to make an impact.

Sanju Samson last played for the India National Cricket Team in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He didn't get an opportunity to play in the first game but was included in the XI for the last two games of the series but it didn't go his way.

Sanju Samson bagged a golden duck in the second game while opening the innings. To worsen the case more for him, the keeper-batter then bagged another duck in the next game. This also saw him getting criticized as well and he would be hoping to turn things around this time around.