Sanju Samson not being included in the Kerala Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT 2025) squad is being investigated by the BCCI. The BCCI selectors are set to meet soon to pick the Indian ODI squad for the three-match England series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The BCCI's top brass and selectors are dissatisfied with Samson's choice to not play in the event, citing their efforts to keep local cricket relevant, according to the Times of India.  

The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) did not select the wicketkeeper after Samson declined to attend a pre-tournament camp. KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar remarked that the association did not want a kid to lose his place owing to uncertainty about Samson's availability.

BCCI sources say the matter needs to be discussed before the selectors get down to picking the Champions Trophy squad on Jan 19.

"The selectors and the board have been very clear on the importance of domestic cricket. Last year, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer lost central contracts for missing domestic matches without seeking permission. Even in Samson's case, the board and selectors were not given any reason why he missed the tournament. All that is known so far is that he spends much of his time in Dubai," BCCI sources told Times of India.

Samson has been selected for the T20I series at home against England, which begins next week. However, because the Vijay Hazare Trophy is contested in a 50-over style, it is an important tournament leading into the Champions Trophy.

"The selectors would want a valid reason. Otherwise, it will be difficult to consider him for the ODI season. Samson has had a bitter history with the KCA, but that needs to be sorted out for him to play in domestic cricket. It can't be that the state association and him have a misunderstanding, and he misses out on game time. He did play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy preceding the Vijay Hazare Trophy," the source said.

Samson is considered a candidate for one of the two wicketkeeper positions, alongside Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel. Rahul's willingness to keep wickets in longer forms is unknown, given his history of serious hamstring injuries over the last two years.