Sanju Samson will play for Kerala from October 15 in their season opener against Maharashtra in Thiruvananthapuram. This marks his first first-class appearance of the season, having skipped both the Duleep Trophy and the Irani Cup.
The Kerala Cricket Association has named Mohammed Azharuddeen as captain, replacing Sachin Baby, underlining a shift in leadership.
Here’s the full squad
Kerala squad: Mohammed Azharuddeen (captain), Baba Aparajith (vice-captain), Sanju Samson, Sachin Baby, Rohan S Kunnumal, Vathsal Govind, Akshay Chandran, Salman Nizar, Ankit Sharma, MD Nidheesh, Basil NP, Edhen Apple Tom, Ahammed Imran, Shoun Roger, Abhishek P Nair. Head coach: Amay Khurasiya.
Azharuddeen had led South Zone in the Duleep Trophy recently, and Kerala officials say the change was made thinking ahead, as Samson may be traveling with the Indian T20 squad.
Baba Aparajith, who joined Kerala from Tamil Nadu, has been named vice-captain to support the new leadership. Kerala’s 15-member squad blends experienced players and emerging talent, including Sachin Baby, Rohan S Kunnumal, Vathsal Govind, Basil NP, and others.
"We have appointed Azharuddeen as captain, considering the future, as Sanju will be travelling to Australia for T20Is. We were looking for continuity in leadership role," a KCA source was quoted telling PTI.
The state has placed itself in Elite Group B, competing alongside teams such as Karnataka, Punjab, Saurashtra, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Goa.
Azharuddeen’s leadership will be watched closely, he must steer a side rich in talent but undergoing a transition in hierarchy. For Samson, the match offers a chance to reestablish momentum in first-class cricket before joining national duties.
