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Sanju Samson, the captain of Kerala and a key player for the Rajasthan Royals, has surprisingly opted out of the inaugural edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) in 2024.
The star cricketer, who hails from Thiruvananthapuram, was expected to be the icon player for the Trivandrum Royals, but his absence has raised questions among fans and experts alike.
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As the KCL kicks off at the Greenfield International Stadium from September 2 to 18, many are left wondering why Samson chose to skip this much-anticipated tournament.
Why is Sanju Samson missing from KCL 2024?
The decision for Samson to sit out the KCL comes after a grueling cricketing schedule that spanned several months.
From leading the Rajasthan Royals to the IPL playoffs to being part of India’s victorious T20 World Cup squad, Samson has been continuously in action from March through July.
According to media reports, the wicketkeeper-batter requested a break from the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) to recharge ahead of a demanding domestic and international season.
"Sanju has been playing non-stop cricket from March till July. Two months of IPL plus T20 World Cup have been taxing. Even after the T20 World Cup, he was part of the Indian T20 teams which toured Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka," a source close to Onmanorama.
"Hence Sanju asked the KCA (Kerala Cricket Association) officials for a break. His name was not listed in the player auction too," added the source.
His absence means that all-rounder P A Abdul Basit will step in as the icon player and captain for the Trivandrum Royals.
What next for Sanju Samson?
Although he will not be playing, Samson’s involvement as the tournament icon and his role in unveiling the KCL logo show his continued support for the league.
With the Ranji Trophy on the horizon and potential national duties in November, his focus would remain on staying fresh and ready for future challenges.
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