Sanju Samson to play alongside his brother in Kerala Cricket League

Dubai: Sanju Samson needs no introduction. The Kerala-born cricketer has made a name for himself with his stellar performances for India and in the Indian Premier League, delivering several memorable innings over the years.

At the recent Kerala Cricket League auction, the 30-year-old was snapped up by the Kochi Blue Tigers for a record-breaking Rs2.8 million, becoming the most expensive player in the league's history. But what truly caught everyone's attention was that his elder brother, Saly Samson, was also picked by the same franchise—for his base price of Rs75,000. The two brothers are now set to share the field in the upcoming edition of the tournament.

Saly, the elder of the two, made his List A debut on October 27, 2021, in Sri Lanka’s premier domestic one-day competition—the Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament—representing Badureliya Sports Club. An all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls medium pace, Saly played six matches, scoring 38 runs at an average of 7.60, with a top score of 15.

His career, however, has been marred by a series of injuries and surgeries. This battle was poignantly highlighted in a Facebook post from 2021—just a month before his debut—where Sanju lauded his brother’s perseverance.

“A great salute to your passion, dedication and love for this game, BHAIJAAAN,” Sanju wrote.

“You fought very hard for four long years with your injuries and surgeries to get back on the ground and do what you love the most in this world.

Wishing you the best going forward, and I hope you keep playing this beautiful game for as long as you wish!”