Kerala Cricket League 2025: High-Stakes Auction Ignites Statewide Cricket Fever

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Cricket League (KCL) launched the player auction for its highly anticipated second season at the Hyatt Regency in Thiruvananthapuram. The event was inaugurated by Minister for General Education and Labour, V. Sivankutty, in the presence of team owners, members of the Kerala Cricket Association and cricket enthusiasts.

The highlight of the auction was the sale of Indian Premier League (IPL) star and Kerala’s favorite Sanju Samson, who was acquired by the Kochi Blue Tigers for a record sum of Rs. 26.80 lakh. With a base price of Rs. 3 lakh, Samson sparked an intense bidding war among Kochi Blue Tigers, Thrissur Titans, and Trivandrum Royals. Ultimately, Kochi triumphed with the highest bid. Notably, Samson did not participate in the first season of KCL, making his entry this year even more anticipated by fans and franchises alike.

The auction featured six franchise teams: Aries Kollam Sailors, Calicut Globstars, Trivandrum Royals, Kochi Blue Tigers, Thrissur Titans, and Alleppey Ripples. All six team owners were actively involved in the bidding, which was managed by Charu Sharma, a veteran auctioneer best known for conducting IPL auctions. The proceedings are scheduled to conclude by 6 PM today.

This year’s auction pool included a total of 170 players divided into three categories. Of these, 15 players were retained by franchises before the auction. The remaining 155 players were open for bidding. Category A included players with experience in first-class, List A, or IPL matches and had a base price of Rs. 3 lakh. Category B was made up of Under-19 and Under-23 players, each starting at Rs. 1.5 lakh. Category C consisted of players who had competed in district, zonal, and Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) tournaments, with a base price of Rs. 75,000.

Each team is allowed to spend a maximum of Rs. 50 lakh on their squad. While each franchise must have a minimum of 16 players, they may sign up to 20. Some franchises had already spent a portion of their budget through player retention. Aries Kollam Sailors, the reigning champions, retained four players including former India international Sachin Baby, spending Rs. 15.5 lakh in the process. Both Alleppey Ripples and Calicut Globstars had spent Rs. 17.75 lakh each to retain four players, while Trivandrum Royals retained three players for a combined Rs. 4.5 lakh.

The player list ranges from seasoned veterans like 42-year-old K. J. Rakesh to emerging teenage talents such as 16-year-old Jaivin Jackson. Among the notable young cricketers are Vignesh Puthur, who has IPL experience, and Mohammed Inan, who currently features in India’s national Under-19 team. Last season, M. S. Akhil emerged as the most expensive player with a bid of Rs. 7.4 lakh.

The Kerala Cricket League was launched in 2024 by the Kerala Cricket Association with the goal of promoting domestic cricket and offering a professional platform to young and emerging players from the state. The inaugural season was a success, with Aries Kollam Sailors lifting the trophy after defeating Calicut Globstars in the final. The league aims to bridge the gap between local tournaments and national-level cricket.

(Kollam Sailor's celebration in the season 1 Image courtesy: Google)

The second season is scheduled to run from August 22 to September 7, 2025, and will feature 33 matches played primarily at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The format includes a double round-robin stage followed by playoffs. Matches will be broadcast on Star Sports and streamed live via FanCode, increasing the league’s reach and exposure.

With Sanju Samson now entering the fray and several franchises making big moves in the auction, the upcoming season promises to be even more exciting and competitive than the first. The Kerala Cricket League continues to grow not only in popularity but also in stature, as it carves out a distinct space in India’s ever-expanding domestic cricket scene.The Kerala Cricket League (KCL) launched the player auction for its highly anticipated second season at the Hyatt Regency in Thiruvananthapuram. The event was inaugurated by Minister for General Education and Labour, V. Sivankutty, in the presence of team owners, members of the Kerala Cricket Association and cricket enthusiasts.

The highlight of the auction was the sale of Indian Premier League (IPL) star and Kerala’s favorite Sanju Samson, who was acquired by the Kochi Blue Tigers for a record sum of Rs. 26.80 lakh. With a base price of Rs. 3 lakh, Samson sparked an intense bidding war among Kochi Blue Tigers, Thrissur Titans, and Trivandrum Royals. Ultimately, Kochi triumphed with the highest bid. Notably, Samson did not participate in the first season of KCL, making his entry this year even more anticipated by fans and franchises alike.

The auction featured six franchise teams: Aries Kollam Sailors, Calicut Globstars, Trivandrum Royals, Kochi Blue Tigers, Thrissur Titans, and Alleppey Ripples. All six team owners were actively involved in the bidding, which was managed by Charu Sharma, a veteran auctioneer best known for his role in conducting IPL auctions. The proceedings are scheduled to conclude by 6 PM today.

This year’s auction pool included a total of 170 players divided into three categories. Of these, 15 players were retained by franchises before the auction. The remaining 155 players were open for bidding. Category A included players with experience in first-class, List A, or IPL matches and had a base price of Rs. 3 lakh. Category B was made up of Under-19 and Under-23 players, each starting at Rs. 1.5 lakh. Category C consisted of players who had competed in district, zonal, and Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) tournaments, with a base price of Rs. 75,000.

Each team is allowed to spend a maximum of Rs. 50 lakh on their squad. While each franchise must have a minimum of 16 players, they may sign up to 20. Some franchises had already spent a portion of their budget through player retention. Aries Kollam Sailors, the reigning champions, retained four players including former India international Sachin Baby, spending Rs. 15.5 lakh in the process. Both Alleppey Ripples and Calicut Globstars had spent Rs. 17.75 lakh each to retain four players, while Trivandrum Royals retained three players for a combined Rs. 4.5 lakh.

The player list ranges from seasoned veterans like 42-year-old K. J. Rakesh to emerging teenage talents such as 16-year-old Jaivin Jackson. Among the notable young cricketers are Vignesh Puthur, who has IPL experience, and Mohammed Inan, who currently features in India’s national Under-19 team. Last season, M. S. Akhil emerged as the most expensive player with a bid of Rs. 7.4 lakh.

The Kerala Cricket League was launched in 2024 by the Kerala Cricket Association with the goal of promoting domestic cricket and offering a professional platform to young and emerging players from the state. The inaugural season was a success, with Aries Kollam Sailors lifting the trophy after defeating Calicut Globstars in the final. The league aims to bridge the gap between local tournaments and national-level cricket.

The second season is scheduled to run from August 22 to September 7, 2025, and will feature 33 matches played primarily at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The format includes a double round-robin stage followed by playoffs. Matches will be broadcast on Star Sports and streamed live via FanCode, increasing the league’s reach and exposure.

With Sanju Samson now entering the fray and several franchises making big moves in the auction, the upcoming season promises to be even more exciting and competitive than the first. The Kerala Cricket League continues to grow not only in popularity but also in stature, as it carves out a distinct space in India’s ever-expanding domestic cricket scene.