Cricket: Kerala’s grand spectacle gets bigger and better in second year

Dubai: Kerala’s very own T20 spectacle is back — and it promises to be bigger, brighter, and bolder than before. The Kerala Cricket League (KCL) returns with renewed energy and higher ambitions as its second season gets underway on Thursday. Season 2 opens with a repeat of last year’s final, with defending champions Aries Kollam Sailors taking on runners-up Calicut Globstars in a high-voltage clash.

After a successful debut, the KCL has firmly established itself in Kerala’s cricketing ecosystem. Organisers are aiming for exponential growth this season, with improved infrastructure, marquee player signings, and enhanced fan engagement across the state.

Tournament schedule and format

KCL 2025 kicks off on Thursday and will feature 30 league-stage matches running until September 4. The top four teams will progress to the semi-finals on September 5, with the second and third-ranked teams playing the first semi-final, and the first and fourth-ranked teams contesting the second. The final is scheduled for September 7. All matches will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

Double-header match days will see the first game begin at 1pm UAE time and the second at 5:15pm, except for the opening day when the second match starts at 6:15pm.

Teams and key players

Six teams will compete in Season 2: Aries Kollam Sailors (led by Sachin Baby), Alleppey Ripples (Mohammad Azharuddeen), Calicut Globstars (Rohan S Kunnumal), Trivandrum Royals (Krishna Prasad), Kochi Blue Tigers (Saly Samson), and Thrissur Titans (Sijomon Joseph).

The spotlight is firmly on Sanju Samson, who became the most expensive buy in KCL history after Kochi Kochi Blue Tigers acquired him for Rs2.68 million, making him the league’s most expensive signing. Samson, who will serve as the team’s vice-captain, is set for his first competitive appearance since a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, where he scored 285 runs in nine matches. His return comes on the back of a productive season for India in T20 internationals, where he struck three centuries.

The star wicketkeeper-batter will be looking to use the KCL as a platform to find his rhythm ahead of the Asia Cup, which begins in the UAE on September 9.

Vishnu Vinod, former Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batter, was the second-costliest pick at Rs1.38 million, while veteran all-rounder Jalaj Saxena went for Rs1.26 million. Teenage left-arm spinner Vignesh Puthur, who impressed during the inaugural KCL and later in IPL 2025, returns for Alleppey Ripples after recovering from injury.

Pre-tournament excitement

The KCL Trophy Tour sparked excitement across Kerala, with a grand reception at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on August 15. Fans thronged to catch glimpses of star players, including Abdul Basith, Sanjeev Satheeshan, and Anuraj J.S., while festive giveaways added to the celebratory atmosphere.

Ahead of the league, a high-voltage friendly T20 match saw Samson-led KCA Secretary XI edge out Sachin Baby’s President XI by one wicket. Samson anchored the innings with a fluent 54 off 36 balls, while Vishnu Vinod’s 69 off 29 balls set the tone. Basil Thampi sealed a thrilling finish with a six in the final over, giving fans a taste of the competitive cricket to come.

Enhanced infrastructure and fan experience

This season, the Greenfield Stadium boasts state-of-the-art LED floodlights, replacing the old metal systems. The 392 high-powered LEDs across four towers feature a DMX control system for precise brightness adjustment and dynamic lighting effects, ensuring optimal visibility for players, spectators, and broadcasters. The project cost Rs180 million and was executed by the Kerala Cricket Association in collaboration with Philips subsidiary Signify and Mercury Electrical Corporation.

KCL organisers believe these upgrades, combined with marquee player signings and a tightly scheduled tournament, will make Season 2 a landmark event in Kerala cricket. As Samson noted at the launch of Kochi Blue Tigers’ official website, tournaments like KCL provide crucial match practice ahead of major international events, such as the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE starting September 9.

With top talent, improved facilities, and a growing fan base, KCL 2025 promises an exciting mix of competitive cricket and regional pride, marking a new chapter in Kerala’s domestic T20 landscape.