Sanju Samson May Have Failed Yo-Yo Test Due to Lack of Specialist Trainer During IPL: Report

Sanju Samson’s top-start career has taken yet another blow after his failure to clear the mandatory yo-yo test saw him losing his spot in India A squad for the tour of England.

Samson was rewarded with a place in the team after productive outings in the domestic circuit and during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 as well.

Playing for the domestic Twenty20 league franchise, Rajasthan Royals this season, he amassed 491 runs at an average of over 31 and a strike-rate of almost 138.

Before that, he had a brilliant outing in the premium domestic competition Ranji Trophy.

Samson scored 627 runs in seven games with the help of two tons and three fifties. He had also scored a century against the visiting Sri Lanka side last year, in a warm-up match.

However, all his performance went in vain at least for the time being, as his poor fitness ruled him out of India A side. And recent reports are suggesting it might not be his fault that has jeopardised his career at the moment.

According to a report in CricketNext, Rajasthan Royals didn’t have a specialist trainer during the tournament, leaving chief physio John Gloster and football physio Noel Augustine to share those duties.

Sources in the team set-up confirmed that while chief physio Gloster was looking after the Royals during the preparatory stage, Augustine was roped in only after he completed his stint with Indian Super League club, Atletico de Kolkata in the Super Cup.

When asked about the reason behind roping in a football physio, a member of the Rajasthan Royals support staff said:

“It was a call taken by head physio John Gloster, and you should check with him.”

Another member revealed even Augustine wasn’t part of the set-up from the beginning.

“Augustine wasn’t available in the first half as he was with Atletico de Kolkata. It was only after their season ended with ATK’s ouster in the Super Cup that he joined the Royals,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kerala chief coach, Dav Whatmore feels the gruelling format of the IPL could have been one of the reasons for Samson failing the test.

“I wouldn’t wish to get into a debate on the pros and cons of the test. But all I can say is that a little leeway can be given to someone who has had a long season of the IPL. He has been playing non-stop cricket. And as you would know, losing weight can be an issue in-season as compared to the off-season,” he said.

“Also, sometimes fatigue does creep in as you don’t get enough time for recovery. He played for India ‘A’, came back and played Ranji Trophy for us and then the IPL. It isn’t easy,” he added.

Samson has had a record of troubled past. However, Whatmore refuted suggestions discipline has anything to do with Samson’s failure to clear the test.

“Samson had cleared the fitness test ahead of the Ranji season for Kerala. Also, he has become a lot more professional and worldly wise. The acts of indiscipline is a thing of the past as far as I am concerned,” he clarified.

Jharkhand’s Ishan Kishan has replaced Samson in India A squad.