Samson travels to CoE to seek clearance to keep wickets

Sanju Samson has gone to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) to seek clearance for keeping wickets. The India ‘keeper-batter flew from Guwahati to Bengaluru on Monday (March 31) to seek full clearance from the CoE managers.

The Rajasthan Royals skipper had initially received only a partial and temporary go-ahead to play in the ongoing IPL following surgery on his right index finger. Now, he will undergo testing by the Sport Science wing at the CoE and request approval to resume his full duties.

If granted permission to keep wickets, Sanju will also return as skipper. Owing to the partial clearance, he had handed over the captaincy to Riyan Parag and played as an Impact Player in the Royals’ three games so far this season. Sources indicate that his thumb injury has fully healed, and he feels fit enough to take up wicket-keeping duties. “He will seek clearance to do so for the remaining games and is expected to be back as skipper from the RR’s next match, which is nearly a week away,” said a source.

Sanju has registered scores of 66 (vs SRH), 13 (vs KKR), and 20 (vs CSK) in the three games he has played so far purely as a batter, without fielding, rather than as an Impact Player. In his absence, Dhruv Jurel kept wickets for the team. If he receives clearance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) facility, the India ‘keeper-batter is expected to reclaim his role behind the stumps and resume his captaincy as well.

The Royals have had a mixed start to their IPL campaign, losing their first two games before opening their account with a win against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Sunday night. They will next face Punjab Kings in an away game on April 5, followed by another fixture on the road, against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on April 9. The team will then return to their original base, Jaipur, where they will play their third home game against RCB on April 13.