SMAT 2025: CSK-recruit Sanju Samson becomes Kerala captain ahead of IPL 2026

Sanju Samson is set to captain Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26, beginning on November 26. The star wicketkeeper-batter, who recently moved from Rajasthan Royals (RR) to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will now lead his state team in the domestic T20 tournament.

Joining him in the squad is his elder brother, Saly Samson, who previously played alongside Sanju in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL). Saly also captained the Kochi Blue Tigers to victory in KCL Season 2 earlier this year. The brother duo will now don the Kerala shirt together in SMAT, the premier domestic T20 competition.

Alongside the Samson brothers, young batter Ahammed Imran has been named vice-captain after making a mark in the KCL with Thrissur Titans.

The squad also includes Vignesh Puthur, a former Mumbai Indians (MI) player, and Vishnu Vinod, while Salman Nizar awaits fitness clearance despite being named. Akhil Scaria, the top wicket-taker in the past two KCL seasons, is also part of the Kerala squad. Meanwhile, experienced campaigner Sachin Baby has been left out.

Kerala are placed in Group A, alongside Chandigarh, Odisha, Vidarbha, Railways, Andhra Pradesh, and Mumbai. They will kick off their campaign against Odisha on November 26, with all group-stage matches scheduled in Lucknow. Some players will travel to Lucknow on November 23, while others will join from Indore, where Kerala played against Madhya Pradesh in their last Ranji match.

Kerala, who were the runners-up in the previous season, have had a disappointing start to the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, currently sitting second-bottom in their group with just 8 points from five matches. As they prepare for the SMAT 2025, the team will be looking to turn things around and make a strong impact in the white-ball phase of the Indian domestic season.

Kerala squad for SMAT 2025

Sanju Samson (C & WK), Rohan Kunnummal, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Ahammed Imran (VC), Vishnu Vinod (WK), Krishna Devan, Abdul Bazith, Saly Samson, Salman Nizar, Krishna Prasad, Sibin P Gireesh, Ankit Sharma, Akhil Scaria, Biju Narayanan, Asif KM, MD Nidheesh, Vignesh Puthur, Sharafuddeen NM