After the tremendous success of franchise-based T20 leagues like the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Maharaja Trophy (Karnataka), Maharashtra Premier League, and the Delhi Premier League, Kerala has joined the trend with the launch of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL).
The inaugural season of the KCL is taking place from September 2 to 18, 2024. A total of six teams will compete in 33 matches, including the semi-finals and final, all of which will be held at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
Why Isn’t Sanju Samson Playing in the Kerala Cricket League 2024?
Despite the excitement surrounding the new league, the absence of a major star like Sanju Samson has left a void in the tournament. Samson, who is not only the current Kerala player representing the national team but also a globally popular cricketer with a massive fan following, would have significantly boosted the tournament’s hype and anticipation.
Many expected Samson to participate in the KCL, especially since he was not selected for any of the four squads in the 2024 Duleep Trophy, and with no immediate commitments to India’s national team for Test cricket, his schedule appeared open until the T20I series against Bangladesh and the start of the Ranji Trophy.
However, according to a report by Onmanorama, Samson requested a break from the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) following a demanding season. After a grueling IPL 2024, Samson was part of India’s title-winning squad at the 2024 T20 World Cup and subsequently toured Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
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The six teams in the 2024 KCL are led by Sachin Baby (Aries Kollam Sailors), Varun Nayanar (Thrissur Titans), Abdul Basith (Trivandrum Royals), Basil Thampi (Kochi Blue Tigers), Mohammad Azharuddin (Alleppey Ripples), and Rohan S. Kunummal (Calicut Globestars).