Sanju Samson, the star batter and captain of Rajasthan Royals, became the costliest player at the 2025 Kerala Cricket League (KCL) auction. Kochi Blue Tigers bought him for a record INR 26.8 lakh on Saturday in the second-season auction.
The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter surpassed the previous KCL auction record of INR 7.4 lakh, which Trivandrum Royals paid for M.S. Akhil in 2024. Samson, who had a base price of INR 3 lakh, triggered a bidding war between many teams. The price went past INR 10 lakh and Kochi Blue Tigers outbid others, spending more than half of their INR 50 lakh budget to get the India international player.
This will be Samson’s first time playing in the KCL, though he was the league’s brand ambassador in the first season last year. His presence will increase the league’s visibility and Kochi Blue Tigers’ chances of winning the title in the second edition.
Samson’s signing also means he is back to competitive cricket under Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). He was dropped from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad in December 2024 for not attending a preparatory camp in Wayanad.
With Samson on board, the KCL has a star player whose presence will raise the level and fan interest in the league across the state and elsewhere.
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Samson was not the only one to grab attention. His Kerala teammate Vishnu Vinod was picked by Aries Kollam for INR 13.8 lakh, the second-highest signing of the day. Seasoned all-rounder Jalaj Saxena was signed by Alleppey Ripples for INR 12.4 lakh.
