New Delhi, Nov. 11 -- Sanju Samson will lead Kerala in the 2026-27 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The senior wicketkeeper-batter has been appointed captain of an 18-member squad that begins its campaign against Madhya Pradesh on Saturday (November 14). The announcement came on the eve of Samson's 32nd birthday. The opening match is scheduled at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, also known as the PCA Stadium.

Kerala have been placed in Elite Group C. Their opponents in the group stage are Madhya Pradesh, Andhra, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Puducherry and Tripura. The published squad confirms Sanju Samson as both captain and wicketkeeper. The side also includes red-ball captain Vishnu Vinod and former Kerala skip...