Sanju Samson has been appointed captain of the Kerala team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. The squad includes several experienced players, including his brother Sally Samson. The team aims for a b performance starting with a fresh beginning on November 26.
Sports: Indian cricket star Sanju Samson is once again in the spotlight ahead of the limited-overs series against South Africa. A significant update has emerged regarding his return to the domestic circuit. The Kerala Cricket Association has announced its squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, and this time, the team's leadership has been handed to Sanju Samson. In this prestigious domestic tournament, set to begin on November 26, Samson will take the field as captain, aiming to provide the team with a b start through his leadership skills and batting prowess.
Samson's New Role as Captain of the Kerala Team
The Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy is a major platform in Indian domestic cricket. Cricketers who perform well in this tournament are closely watched by both IPL franchises and national selectors. Thus, this opportunity will be the right time for Samson to showcase his form, strategy, and leadership skills.
Sanju Samson has led the Kerala team from the front on several previous occasions. However, this time the circumstances are different. Playing domestic cricket after a long hiatus, he will be keen to further improve his fitness, technique, and T20 approach. Expectations have significantly increased for him since joining CSK. In this context, the Kerala team expects a b performance from him this season.
Samson's Brother, Sally Samson, Also Included in the Team
This time, another interesting name has been included in the Kerala squad—Sally Samson, who is Sanju Samson's brother. He has made a name for himself with consistent good performances in domestic cricket. In Season 2 of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), Sally Samson showcased excellent batting while captaining the Kochi Blue Tigers.
The two brothers have previously played together in KCL. Now, their reunion in a major tournament like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is great news for Kerala cricket fans. This adds further depth to the team's batting order.
Sally's selection is proof that he hasn't just made it into the team as 'Sanju's brother,' but has earned the trust of the team management through his consistent performances and calm demeanor on the field.
Ahmed Imran Entrusted with Vice-Captaincy
Another important name in this squad is Ahmed Imran, who has been appointed as the team's vice-captain. In domestic T20 cricket, Imran has impressed selectors with his b batting and ability to read bowlers.
His role as vice-captain in the team will be crucial. Setting the field, supporting the captain, and driving the team forward when needed—his contribution in all these tasks will be vital. His calm leadership style will further strengthen Samson's strategy.
Vishnu Vinod and Vignesh Puthur's Experience Strengthens the Team
Two players with IPL experience have also been included in the Kerala team—Vishnu Vinod and Vignesh Puthur.
Vishnu Vinod is known in the IPL for his aggressive batting style and wicketkeeping skills. His experience will assist Samson with wicketkeeping and finishing options.
Vignesh Puthur has also played for Mumbai Indians (MI) and is known for scoring runs quickly in the T20 format. The combination of these two players significantly strengthens the Kerala team's middle order.
Furthermore, Akhil Scaria, who was the highest wicket-taker in both previous KCL seasons, is a crucial part of this squad. He possesses the ability to deliver accurate yorkers and slower balls in death overs, which can pose a challenge to any batting lineup.
Some Experienced Players Omitted
A major change for this season is that veteran player Sachin Baby has not been included in the team this time. His omission is considered a significant decision from the team's perspective. Perhaps the selectors have decided to prioritize young players this time to strengthen the team's bench strength over the next few years.
Tournament Schedule
The Kerala team has been placed in Group A, which includes teams like Chandigarh, Odisha, Vidarbha, Railways, Andhra Pradesh, and Mumbai. Competing against them will not be easy as the group comprises b and balanced teams.
Kerala's first match will be played against Odisha on November 26. This match will be held in Lucknow. In fact, all of the Kerala team's matches this time have been scheduled in Lucknow.
Some players will depart for Lucknow on November 23 itself, while the remaining players will arrive directly in Lucknow from Indore, where Kerala played their previous Ranji match against Madhya Pradesh. The team aims to enter the tournament well-prepared to create a positive atmosphere from the outset.
Full Squad List—Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025
- Sanju Samson (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
- Rohan Kunnummal
- Mohammed Azharuddeen
- Ahmed Imran (Vice-captain)
- Vishnu Vinod (Wicketkeeper)
- Krishna Devan
- Abdul Bazith
- Sally Samson
- Salman Nizar
- Krishna Prasad
- Sibin P Girish
- Ankit Sharma
- Akhil Scaria
- Biju Narayanan
- Asif KM
- MD Nidheesh
- Vignesh Puthur
- Sharafuddeen NM
