The second season of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) will be held from August 22 to September 7, drawing excitement from sports fans and business circles alike. The recent player auction has set the stage for an action-packed league. According to Deshabhimani, the league contributed ₹30 crore to the economy in its first season alone, supporting not just sports but sectors like hospitality and transportation.
Six Teams Competing Across Kerala
The league features six teams: Trivandrum Royals, Kochi Blue Tigers, Thrissur Titans, Calicut Globesters, Aeries Kollam Sailors, and Alappuzha Ripples. The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) will receive ₹14 crore annually from franchise fees. Each team will pay this fee for ten years, providing consistent revenue for developing cricket infrastructure, training, and talent in the state.
Sanju Samson Tops Auction at ₹26.80 Lakh
Sanju Samson was the highest-paid player this season, acquired by Kochi Blue Tigers for ₹26.80 lakh. Out of 168 listed players, 91 were bought by the teams. This surge in player earnings directly benefits Kerala’s local economy by financially empowering regional talent.
Star Sports and Asianet Plus to Broadcast Matches
Star Sports and Asianet Plus are KCL’s official broadcasters. FanCode and other platforms will also stream the matches. Broadcast rights and sponsorships are expected to bring substantial income to KCA. With star players like Sanju Samson joining, sponsorship interest and brand value have increased significantly.
Local Business Gets a Boost from League Operations
KCL’s economic impact extends to local businesses, including hotels, taxis, catering services, media agencies, printing presses, and digital content creators. Over 700 direct and 2,500 indirect jobs were created last season, with 40% of support staff being women. This year, Kudumbashree units will run food courts inside stadiums in partnership with KCA.
Cricket Tourism and Social Campaigns Planned
KCL aims to contribute to Kerala’s social and economic growth beyond cricket. Plans are underway to collaborate with Kerala Tourism to promote “Cricket Tourism” and to engage with Onam festivities. The league also plans to host awareness campaigns involving fans and communities.
New Digital Experiences for Fans
KCA has partnered with Toonz Animation India to produce animated mascot-based content and has also developed a new fan engagement app to enhance viewer interaction.
Season to Begin at Greenfield Stadium, Trivandrum
KCL Season 2 will kick off on August 21 at Greenfield International Stadium, Trivandrum. Matches will take place under newly installed LED floodlights. Entry will be free for all matches, but managed through online coupons to ensure crowd control and safety. Star Sports 3, Asianet Plus, and other platforms will air the matches live.
Close Spending in Player Auction
Each team had a ₹50 lakh cap for the auction. Kochi spent the full amount, while Kollam used ₹49.80 lakh, Alappuzha ₹49.35 lakh, Calicut ₹49.80 lakh, Trivandrum ₹49.40 lakh, and Thrissur ₹49.65 lakh. All teams acquired a full squad of 20 players, indicating strong preparation across franchises.
