Sanju Samson is smiling again, without the botheration of getting dropped

Sanju Samson has posted a smiling photo on Instagram. Considering the fuse that was lit recently over his exclusion from India's Champions Trophy squad, a smiling Samson seems out of place.

But Sanju is not the only one smiling in the training shot. Everyone jogging next to him is cheerful. Ravi Bishnoi is grinning ear to ear; Tilak Varma, Harshit Rana, Axar Patel, and Mohammed Shami are also happy.

Then again, who would appear gloomy ahead of a series opener, this time before the first T20I against England at the Eden Gardens. Besides, it is smart PR. Sanju almost always uses social media to spread positivity. Browsing through his socials, one gets the impression that there is a guy whose every day is sunny. So perhaps there isn't much to figure out from a happy frame. But then there is also a lot that can be read under the circumstances.

The Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman has had a dramatic couple of months. Sanju's international career hit its zenith toward the end of 2024 when he scored consecutive international centuries, first against Bangladesh (111) and then in the series opener against South Africa in Durban (107). He scored another, an unbeaten 109 in Johannesburg, the last T20I India played in 2024.

From there, it turned sour for the swashbuckling right-hander who captains Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Someone close to him screamed foul about his inconsistent appearances for Team India. In between, Sanju led Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, securing four wins out of six. Then came the shocker when he wasn't named in Kerala's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Various theories were mumbled: Some said he was dropped for indiscipline, and some said he chose not to show up. But all that buildup tension exploded with BCCI's announcement of the Champions Trophy squad. Rishabh Pant, as expected, was chosen as the first-choice keeper, with K L Rahul picked as a backup, meaning there was no place for Sanju.

All hell broke loose when Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor accused the KCA of ruining Sanju's chances because of their ego. The KCA responded in kind, with President Jayesh George raising serious allegations against Sanju. He accused Sanju of not showing up for a state camp without citing specific reasons, claiming they had all the right to take disciplinary action, but they chose not to.

A day after India play England at the Eden Gardens, Kerala's Ranji Trophy campaign will resume. Sanju's absence will be discussed, even though it is clear that his national commitment made it physically impossible for him to be present.

While the dust from the recent melee remains unsettled, a series will be played. Sanju cannot be distracted, for his sake and for that of Team India. There are five T20Is to be played against the English until February 2. Sanju has always been under pressure when he's pulled on India colours. Since making his T20I debut at Harare in 2015, Sanju was just one rash shot away from getting a timely reminder of why he was getting dropped the next time.

This time, though, there is no such pressure. Regardless of how he performs in the England series, Sanju won't be on the flight to the UAE, where India will play their matches in the Champions Trophy starting February 19. So maybe Sanju's social media smile is, after all, a reflection of his actual mood. He could bat freely this time without the botheration of getting dropped.