Kerala Ranji Trophy 2025: Sanju Samson included, Azharuddeen to lead; squad list inside

Thiruvananthapuram: Team India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson will feature for Kerala in their Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season opener against Maharashtra, starting October 15 in Thiruvananthapuram. This will be Samson’s first red-ball appearance of the season, as he did not participate in the Duleep Trophy or Irani Cup.

While Samson will bolster Kerala’s batting line-up, Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has handed the captaincy to Mohammed Azharuddeen, with Baba Aparajith serving as the vice-captain.

“We have appointed Azharuddeen as captain considering the future as Sanju will be travelling to Australia for T20Is,” a KCA official told PTI. “We were looking for continuity in the leadership role.”

Sanju’s presence is expected to be brief, as India is scheduled to play five T20Is in Australia from October 29 to November 8, which will clash with the second, third, and fourth rounds of the Ranji Trophy.

The new captain, Azharuddeen, recently led South Zone in the Duleep Trophy, while Aparajith, a former Tamil Nadu player, joined Kerala last season and has now taken on a key leadership role as deputy.

Last year, Kerala reached the Ranji Trophy final under Sachin Baby, who has now been replaced in the leadership group but remains a part of the squad.

Kerala Squad for Ranji Trophy 2025–26 Opener:

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

Kerala has been placed in Elite Group B, alongside Karnataka, Punjab, Saurashtra, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh and Goa.