Sanju Samson sold for ₹26.60 lakh in Kerala Cricket League, becomes the most expensive player, bought by Kochi Blue Tigers, will be seen playing in the tournament for the first time.
Sanju Samson: Sanju Samson, the shining star of Kerala cricket, has once again shown that his popularity and cricketing talent are not limited to national and international platforms. In the auction of the second season of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), Kochi Blue Tigers included him in their team by placing a record bid of ₹26.60 lakh. Thus, Samson has become the most expensive player in the history of the Kerala Cricket League.
This bid is even more surprising when it is revealed that his base price was only ₹3 lakh. The Kochi team spent more than half of their ₹50 lakh purse on Samson alone. This decision reflects both his popularity and performance.
Sanju Samson's 'comeback show' on home ground
In this edition of the Kerala Cricket League, Sanju Samson will be seen playing for the first time. Interestingly, he was the brand ambassador of KCL last season, but could not take the field due to national team commitments. Now, he will not only play, but may also lead his team as the most expensive player. The second season of this T20 league, organized by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), is considered an important step towards the development of cricket in the state and providing a platform for local players.
Background of the return: Injury, controversy, and a new opportunity
Sanju Samson was last seen playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. Due to injury, he could not play in the entire tournament and the team's command was handed over to Riyan Parag. However, in the 9 matches he participated in, he scored 285 runs with an average of 36 and a strike rate of 140.
After the IPL, he did not get a chance in India's ODI or T20 team and was also dropped from the Kerala team due to his absence from the Wayanad camp held for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In such a situation, KCL has become a great opportunity for him to showcase his form and fitness in front of the home crowd.
Samson's dominance in the auction, bids for other players as well
During the auction, not only Sanju Samson, but also many other Kerala stars received a shower of money. Wicketkeeper-batsman Vishnu Vinod was bought by Aries Kollam for ₹13.80 lakh, which was the second-highest bid of the auction. Veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena, who has performed for Kerala for many years, was bought by Alleppey Ripples for a hefty sum of ₹12.40 lakh. These figures make it clear that KCL is no longer just a domestic tournament, but has become a serious cricket platform where talent and experience are being valued.
Kochi Blue Tigers' strategy clear: Trust in Samson
Kochi Blue Tigers' heavy investment in Samson shows that they will enter the field with the intention of winning this league. According to sources in the franchise, 'Sanju is not just a player for us, but an inspiration. His experience, local connection and captaincy skills can take the team to new heights.' If Samson takes the field with full fitness, it can be a big advantage for the Kochi team.
KCL's growing stature and the expectations of cricket fans
The second season of the Kerala Cricket League is going to be bigger and better than the previous one in many ways. The interest of cricket lovers across the state is constantly increasing in this league. The presence of star players like Sanju Samson makes this tournament even more exciting. KCA has also paid special attention to the promotion of the league and the brand value of the players this time, from which it can be expected that KCL will become a major medium for preparing the talents of the state in the coming years, just like competitions like Ranji Trophy or Vijay Hazare.
