Sanju Samson, India’s wicket-keeper batter and Rajasthan Royals captain, is set to make his Kerala Cricket League (KCL) debut in the upcoming season, adding star power to the state’s premier T20 competition. The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) confirmed on Monday that Samson has officially entered the player auction pool scheduled for July 5.
Samson will feature in the elite 39-player Category A list, which also includes notable names like IPL talent Vignesh Puthur and Kerala Ranji Trophy captain Sachin Baby. The move marks a significant boost for the league, which debuted last year without Samson’s participation.
Nazir Machan, chairman of the KCA governing council, confirmed the development and expressed optimism about the growing stature of the league. “Sanju’s participation is a major milestone. It reflects the league’s increasing profile and its importance in nurturing talent within the state,” he said.
Ahead of the auction, teams are allowed to retain up to four players, including a maximum of three capped players—those who have featured in competitions such as the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, the IPL, or for India under-19. Teams that choose not to use all their retention slots will receive a Right-To-Match (RTM) card, which they can use during the auction under the same capped/uncapped rules.
The retention deadline has been set for June 30 at 5 PM IST. Following that, teams will head into the July 5 auction with a purse of Rs. 50 lakhs to assemble a squad of 16 to 20 players.
With the inclusion of Samson, competition for marquee players is expected to intensify. His presence is likely to influence bidding strategies and fan interest alike, as franchises look to secure star quality in their lineups.
The defending champions, Aries Kollam Sailors, will be aiming to retain their crown after a convincing six-wicket win over Calicut Globstars in last year’s final held in September. As anticipation builds for the new season, the addition of high-profile players like Samson signals a bright future for Kerala’s domestic cricket scene.
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