Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has undergone finger surgery after sustaining an injury during the fifth and final ODI against England earlier this month. The injury occurred when a sharp delivery from Jofra Archer struck Samson’s right index finger, forcing him to be replaced by Dhruv Jurel in the second innings.
Despite being ruled out of India’s Champions Trophy squad and Kerala’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Jammu and Kashmir, Samson is expected to recover in time for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
Recovery Timeline
According to ESPNcricinfo, Samson is likely to need a month to recover fully from the surgery, which took place on Tuesday. The report indicates that the wicketkeeper-batter will be fit and ready for IPL 2025, set to begin on the weekend of March 21-23, as confirmed by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.
Struggles Against England
Samson had a forgettable ODI series against England, scoring just 51 runs across five matches. India, however, won the series 4-1. His lackluster performance drew criticism from former cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin and Kris Srikkanth.
Ashwin commented on Samson’s repetitive dismissals, saying, “The bowler is bowling a certain way, and I am getting dismissed like this—does that mean I have a shortcoming? These questions can become difficult to handle.”
Srikkanth questioned Samson’s mindset, adding, “Sanju Samson seems to have missed the bus. For the fifth time, he got out in the same manner. Is he trying to prove a point or going on an ego trip? I’m not sure.”
Looking Ahead to IPL 2025
With a full recovery expected before IPL 2025, Samson will be eager to make a strong comeback and silence his critics. Known for his explosive batting, the Rajasthan Royals captain has been a standout performer in previous IPL seasons. His return to form will be critical for both his franchise and his future prospects in the Indian cricket team.
The IPL 2025 season promises exciting cricket, with Samson’s comeback being one of the most anticipated storylines.
