India batter Sanju Samson is set to enter the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) player auction for the first time as the second edition of the T20 league gears up for action. Organised by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), the KCL 2.0 auction will take place in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5, with Samson expected to be the biggest name up for grabs.
Samson registers for KCL auction
Samson, who missed the inaugural edition of the KCL in 2024 due to international commitments, only featured as the league’s ambassador. But this year, with a relatively open international calendar ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, the wicketkeeper-batter has thrown his name into the player pool. The new season will commence from August 22 to September 07, meaning Samson might be available for playoff matches if the Bangladesh vs India (Aug 17 – Aug 31) series goes ahead.
Samson’s inclusion in the local league is going to be a game-changer, especially for Thiruvananthapuramites! If he’s picked by the Trivandrum Royals, it’s gonna create a buzz and attract huge crowds to the stadium.
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain will now be looking to get valuable match practice under his belt and reignite his push for a regular spot in the Indian T20I setup. He has fallen under the radar, especially after a horrible five-match T20I series earlier this year against England.
KCL 2.0: Tournament Dates, Format, and Franchises
The second season of the KCL will run from August 22 to September 7, following the franchise owners’ meeting scheduled for June 26. The six participating teams are:
- Kollam Sailors
- Calicut Globstars
- Alleppey Ripples
- Kochi Blue Tigers
- Thrissur Titans
- Trivandrum Royals
In the inaugural edition, 114 players were selected from a pool of 168 registered entrants, with each franchise spending an average of Rs 40 lakh. The Kollam Sailors, led by Kerala’s domestic skipper Sachin Baby, were crowned champions after defeating the Calicut Globstars in the final.
