Sports · Cricket · 6 hrs ago
Sanju Samson named Kerala captain for 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Sanju Samson will captain Kerala in the 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, returning to domestic cricket after last playing for the state in January.
He will lead an 18-member squad that includes experienced players and younger performers from the Kerala Cricket League.
The tournament begins on November 24, and Kerala's opening match is against Madhya Pradesh at the PCA Stadium in Tira, near Mohali.
Kerala finished fourth in its group last time and did not reach the next stage, although Samson scored 233 runs in six innings.
This time, the team will also include IPL players Vignesh Puthur and K. M. Asif, along with veteran spinner Jalaj Saxena.
Kerala's campaign starts against Madhya Pradesh, with both teams in Group C alongside six other sides.
Sanju Samson has been named captain of Kerala’s 18-member squad for the 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
The reports disagree on when Kerala’s campaign begins: India Today and Sportstar say November 24, while NDTV Sports says November 14.
India Today and Sportstar say Kerala will open against Madhya Pradesh at the PCA Stadium in Tira, near Mohali; NDTV Sports places the match at PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Samson last played for Kerala in January, in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Puducherry, according to India Today.
He scored 233 runs in six innings in the previous edition, finishing as Kerala’s second-highest run-scorer.
- Who
- Sanju Samson will captain Kerala’s 18-member squad.
- What
- Kerala named Samson captain for the 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
- When
- The reports were published on November 10 and 11, 2026. The tournament start date is disputed: November 24 in India Today and Sportstar, and November 14 in NDTV Sports.
- Where
- Kerala will face Madhya Pradesh in its opening match. India Today and Sportstar say the venue is PCA Stadium in Tira, near Mohali; NDTV Sports says PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Samson last played for Kerala, in a Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture against Puducherry, according to India Today.
India Today and Sportstar reported that Samson had been named Kerala captain.
NDTV Sports reported that Samson would lead Keralam in the tournament.
The reports give different dates for Kerala’s opening match against Madhya Pradesh: November 14 in NDTV Sports and November 24 in India Today and Sportstar.
- Captain
- Sanju Samson
- Squad size
- 18 players
- Opening opponent
- Madhya Pradesh
- Group
- C
- Previous-edition score
- 233 runs in six innings; strike rate 137.86
- Campaign start date
- November 14 according to NDTV Sports; November 24 according to India Today and Sportstar