Kerala Cricket League (KCL) 2026: Teams, Schedule, Players and Latest Updates

The Kerala Cricket League 2026 has arrived with another season of fast-paced T20 cricket, emerging local talent and intense franchise rivalries. Organised by the Kerala Cricket Association, the third edition of the competition began on August 20, 2026, at the Greenfield International Stadium, also known as The Sports Hub, in Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram.

KCL 2026 features six franchises, 108 players and 33 matches spread across 17 days. The league stage runs until September 3, followed by two semifinals on September 4 and the final on September 5. All matches are being played at the same venue, creating a compact tournament in which teams must quickly adapt to the conditions.

Defending champions Kochi Blue Tigers opened their campaign with a 31-run victory over Aries Kollam Sailors in a repeat of the 2025 final. Kochi posted 189/5 before restricting Kollam to 158/6, giving the champions an encouraging start to their title defence.

Here is everything cricket fans need to know about the Kerala Cricket League 2026, including the teams, captains, important players, complete schedule, venue, format, live-streaming details and latest updates.

Kerala Cricket League 2026 Overview

The Kerala Cricket League is a professional state-level T20 competition established to give Kerala’s cricketers a high-quality platform on which to demonstrate their abilities. It brings established domestic players, IPL-experienced cricketers and emerging prospects together in a competitive franchise environment.

KCL 2026 is the third season of the tournament. Six teams representing important regions of Kerala are competing for the trophy:

• Alleppey Ripples
• Aries Kollam Sailors
• Calicut Globstars
• Kochi Blue Tigers
• Thrissur Titans
• Trivandrum Royals

A total of 33 matches will be played. Each side faces the other five teams twice during the league stage, resulting in 30 league matches. The four highest-ranked teams then qualify for the semifinals, with the two winners advancing to the final.

The tournament carries a total prize purse of ₹60 lakh. The champions will receive ₹30 lakh, the runners-up will earn ₹20 lakh, and each losing semifinalist will receive ₹5 lakh. Entry to the stadium is free for spectators, making the competition especially accessible to cricket fans in Kerala.

KCL 2026 Key Details

KCL 2026 Teams, Captains and Players to Watch

All six franchises made meaningful changes before the third season. Teams were permitted to retain a maximum of five players, which led to considerable movement during the player auction.

The squads contain between 16 and 20 players. Every franchise entered the auction with a purse of ₹50 lakh. Of the 173 players originally listed, 17 were retained while the remaining registered players were divided into three auction categories.

1. Kochi Blue Tigers

Captain: Saly Samson

Kochi Blue Tigers enter KCL 2026 as the defending champions. They won the 2025 title by defeating Aries Kollam Sailors by 75 runs in the final, completing a strong all-round campaign.

Although Sanju Samson is not playing in the 2026 season due to personal reasons, Kochi still have a balanced squad under Saly Samson. Their line-up includes experienced fast bowler Basil Thampi, wicketkeeper-batter Sachin Suresh, Vinoop Manoharan, Mohammed Ashiq, KM Asif, Akshay Chandran and Eden Apple Tom.

The defending champions have placed considerable emphasis on all-rounders. That flexibility should help them adjust their playing combination according to the pitch, opposition and match situation.

Players to watch:

• Saly Samson
• Basil Thampi
• Sachin Suresh
• Vinoop Manoharan
• Mohammed Ashiq
• Akshay Chandran
• Eden Apple Tom

Kochi made an immediate statement in their opening match by scoring 189/5 against Kollam and winning by 31 runs. Maintaining that batting depth will be important as the competition progresses.

2. Aries Kollam Sailors

Captain: Vathsal Govind Sharma

Aries Kollam Sailors are the most consistent franchise in the short history of the KCL. They won the inaugural title in 2024 and reached the final again in 2025, where they finished as runners-up to Kochi.

Vathsal Govind Sharma has taken over the captaincy for the 2026 campaign. Kollam’s squad includes NM Sharafuddeen, Abhishek J Nair, Pawan Raj, Vijay Viswanath, MD Nidheesh, Anand Krishnan, Ajnas M, Midhun S and Mohammed Ishaque.

The Sailors appear to have assembled a useful mixture of batters, bowlers and all-rounders. Their challenge will be to recover quickly from the opening defeat to Kochi and re-establish the consistency that took them to the finals of the first two seasons.

Players to watch:

• Vathsal Govind Sharma
• MD Nidheesh
• NM Sharafuddeen
• Anand Krishnan
• Ajnas M
• Abhishek J Nair

Kollam’s experience in high-pressure matches remains one of their biggest strengths. A team that has already played in two finals should understand how to manage the demanding double round-robin schedule.

3. Alleppey Ripples

Captain: Sachin Baby

Alleppey Ripples made some of the most eye-catching moves at the KCL 2026 auction. After disappointing campaigns in the first two seasons, the franchise rebuilt its squad around experienced domestic performers.

Sachin Baby, one of Kerala’s most accomplished cricketers, leads Alleppey this season. The team also contains Mohammed Azharuddeen, Jalaj Saxena, Sibin Gireesh, Abhijith Praveen, Vinil TS, Akshay TK, Akash Pillai and Ajith Raj.

Sibin Gireesh was the most expensive player at the auction, joining Alleppey for ₹11.80 lakh. Sachin Baby was bought for ₹10 lakh, while the presence of Jalaj Saxena and Mohammed Azharuddeen gives the squad proven quality.

Players to watch:

• Sachin Baby
• Mohammed Azharuddeen
• Jalaj Saxena
• Sibin Gireesh
• Abhijith Praveen
• Vinil TS

Alleppey’s leadership group is considerably stronger this season. Sachin Baby provides batting experience, Azharuddeen can change a match at the top of the order, and Jalaj Saxena offers control and versatility. The Ripples may therefore be one of the most improved teams in KCL 2026.

4. Calicut Globstars

Captain: Rohan S Kunnummal

Calicut Globstars have built a youthful squad under Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal. Their core includes Salman Nizar, Akhil Scaria, Abdul Basith, Vignesh Puthur, Krishna Devan, Varun Nayanar, Harikrishnan MU and Athif Bin Ashraf.

The franchise retained Salman Nizar, Rohan Kunnummal and Akhil Scaria before the auction. Rohan was Calicut’s leading run-scorer in the previous season with 337 runs, while Akhil Scaria has been one of the competition’s most productive bowlers.

Calicut also invested ₹11.20 lakh in Krishna Devan, making him the second-most expensive auction purchase. Abdul Basith was acquired for ₹8 lakh.

Players to watch:

• Rohan S Kunnummal
• Salman Nizar
• Akhil Scaria
• Vignesh Puthur
• Abdul Basith
• Krishna Devan

The Globstars’ squad includes players with IPL exposure, Ranji Trophy experience and age-group leadership credentials. Their relatively young playing group may suit an aggressive style, especially if the batting unit starts quickly and the improved pace attack strikes during the powerplay.

5. Thrissur Titans

Captain: Akhil MS

Thrissur Titans entered the third season after a substantial squad overhaul. Only seven players from the previous campaign remained in their 20-member group, and the franchise also appointed Akhil MS as captain.

The squad includes Ahammad Imran, Shoun Roger, Aditya Vinod, AK Arjun, Biju Narayanan, Nikhil Thottath, Sanjeev Satheeshan, Mohammed Enaan, Anand Joseph and Manav Krishna.

Thrissur have deliberately invested in youth, including four Under-19 cricketers in their squad. These younger players arrive after gaining experience in competitions such as the NSK Trophy State T20 Championship.

Players to watch:

• Akhil MS
• Ahammad Imran
• Shoun Roger
• Aditya Vinod
• Biju Narayanan
• Sanjeev Satheeshan

A heavily changed squad can take time to settle, but it can also be difficult for opponents to assess. If the Titans’ young players adapt quickly to televised franchise cricket, Thrissur could become one of the surprise packages of the season.

6. Trivandrum Royals

Captain: Krishna Prasad

Trivandrum Royals are led by Krishna Prasad for a second consecutive season. The franchise retained Krishna Prasad, Govind Dev Pai and V Ajith before adding several important names at the auction.

Vishnu Vinod, bought for ₹7.80 lakh, is one of the Royals’ major acquisitions. Their squad also includes Sijomon Joseph, Akshay Manohar, Vinod Kumar CV, Abhishek P Nair, Nikhil M, Rahul Chandran and Ujjwal Krishna.

Players to watch:

• Krishna Prasad
• Vishnu Vinod
• Govind Dev Pai
• V Ajith
• Sijomon Joseph
• Akshay Manohar

Trivandrum’s greatest advantage could be its balance. The squad combines senior players, promising teenagers and cricketers who already know one another from Kerala’s club and district competitions. As the city-based franchise playing at the Thiruvananthapuram venue, the Royals may also attract strong local support.

The six captains for the season are Krishna Prasad, Vathsal Govind Sharma, Sachin Baby, Saly Samson, Akhil MS and Rohan Kunnummal.

Kerala Cricket League 2026 Full Schedule

All times listed below are in Indian Standard Time.

August 20

• Match 1: Thrissur Titans vs Calicut Globstars – 2:30 PM
• Match 2: Kochi Blue Tigers vs Aries Kollam Sailors – 7:45 PM

August 21

• Match 3: Alleppey Ripples vs Trivandrum Royals – 2:30 PM
• Match 4: Calicut Globstars vs Kochi Blue Tigers – 6:45 PM

August 22

• Match 5: Aries Kollam Sailors vs Trivandrum Royals – 2:00 PM
• Match 6: Alleppey Ripples vs Thrissur Titans – 6:45 PM

August 23

• Match 7: Thrissur Titans vs Kochi Blue Tigers – 2:00 PM
• Match 8: Calicut Globstars vs Aries Kollam Sailors – 6:00 PM

August 24

• Match 9: Alleppey Ripples vs Calicut Globstars – 2:30 PM
• Match 10: Kochi Blue Tigers vs Trivandrum Royals – 6:45 PM

August 25

• Match 11: Aries Kollam Sailors vs Alleppey Ripples – 2:30 PM
• Match 12: Trivandrum Royals vs Thrissur Titans – 6:45 PM

August 26

• Match 13: Thrissur Titans vs Aries Kollam Sailors – 2:30 PM
• Match 14: Kochi Blue Tigers vs Alleppey Ripples – 6:45 PM

August 27

• Match 15: Aries Kollam Sailors vs Kochi Blue Tigers – 2:30 PM
• Match 16: Calicut Globstars vs Trivandrum Royals – 6:45 PM

August 28

• Match 17: Alleppey Ripples vs Calicut Globstars – 2:30 PM
• Match 18: Thrissur Titans vs Trivandrum Royals – 6:45 PM

August 29

• Match 19: Kochi Blue Tigers vs Thrissur Titans – 2:30 PM
• Match 20: Aries Kollam Sailors vs Alleppey Ripples – 6:45 PM

August 30

• Match 21: Kochi Blue Tigers vs Calicut Globstars – 2:00 PM
• Match 22: Trivandrum Royals vs Aries Kollam Sailors – 6:00 PM

August 31

• Match 23: Alleppey Ripples vs Trivandrum Royals – 2:30 PM
• Match 24: Thrissur Titans vs Calicut Globstars – 6:45 PM

September 1

• Match 25: Aries Kollam Sailors vs Thrissur Titans – 2:30 PM
• Match 26: Alleppey Ripples vs Kochi Blue Tigers – 6:45 PM

September 2

• Match 27: Kochi Blue Tigers vs Trivandrum Royals – 2:30 PM
• Match 28: Calicut Globstars vs Aries Kollam Sailors – 6:45 PM

September 3

• Match 29: Trivandrum Royals vs Calicut Globstars – 2:30 PM
• Match 30: Thrissur Titans vs Alleppey Ripples – 6:45 PM

September 4

• Semifinal 1 – 2:30 PM
• Semifinal 2 – 6:45 PM

September 5

• KCL 2026 Final – 7:00 PM

The schedule is subject to operational or weather-related changes. Fans should verify match timings through the tournament’s official channels before travelling to the stadium.

KCL 2026 Venue and Pitch Conditions

Every match is being held at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The ground has hosted international and domestic cricket and offers the infrastructure needed for a televised T20 competition.

Using one venue simplifies travel, but it creates a different tactical challenge. As more matches are played, surface wear may affect pace, bounce and spin. Teams must evaluate whether fresh pitches favour fast bowlers and aggressive stroke play while used surfaces offer more assistance to slower bowlers.

Afternoon and evening matches may also produce different conditions. Heat can influence daytime games, while humidity and possible dew may become factors at night. Captains will need to make careful decisions at the toss instead of following one fixed strategy throughout the tournament.

KCL 2026 Auction Highlights

The auction played an important role in reshaping the six franchises. The biggest deals included:

• Sibin Gireesh to Alleppey Ripples for ₹11.80 lakh
• Krishna Devan to Calicut Globstars for ₹11.20 lakh
• Sachin Baby to Alleppey Ripples for ₹10 lakh
• Abdul Basith to Calicut Globstars for ₹8 lakh
• Vishnu Vinod to Trivandrum Royals for ₹7.80 lakh
• Ajnas M to Aries Kollam Sailors for ₹7 lakh
• MD Nidheesh to Aries Kollam Sailors for ₹6.60 lakh
• Nikhil M to Trivandrum Royals through the Right to Match option for ₹6.40 lakh

Alleppey’s investment in Sibin Gireesh and Sachin Baby showed the franchise’s determination to change its fortunes. Calicut, meanwhile, combined major purchases with a retained core containing Rohan Kunnummal, Salman Nizar and Akhil Scaria. Full post-auction squad lists were reported after the July auction.

Where to Watch KCL 2026 Live

KCL 2026 matches are being televised on Star Sports channels and streamed live on JioHotstar. Viewers should check the platform’s current listings to identify the relevant television channel, language feed or streaming page for each match.

Fans can also follow scores, results, statistics and the points table through the official Kerala Cricket League website and major cricket-score platforms.

Entry to the Greenfield International Stadium is free. This gives supporters in and around Thiruvananthapuram an opportunity to watch the competition in person without purchasing a match ticket.

Latest KCL 2026 Updates

The third season began on August 20 with a double-header. The afternoon fixture featured Thrissur Titans and Calicut Globstars, while defending champions Kochi Blue Tigers faced Aries Kollam Sailors in the evening.

Kochi won the second match by 31 runs. The Blue Tigers scored 189/5 in 20 overs before holding Kollam to 158/6. That result gave Saly Samson’s team its first points and demonstrated that the champions remain dangerous despite Sanju Samson’s absence.

Sanju is expected to attend matches and support the players from the stands, even though he will not participate. West Indies legend Chris Gayle, a co-owner of Kochi Blue Tigers, is expected to attend Kochi’s match against Thrissur Titans on August 29. Former India pacer S Sreesanth is associated with Aries Kollam Sailors as a co-owner.

The 2026 broadcast also introduces Hawk-Eye ball-tracking technology. A 15-member umpiring panel is officiating the tournament, including international umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan and ten officials from the BCCI panel.

As the competition is in progress, results, standings and player statistics will continue to change. Readers should consult official scorecards for the latest points table and match results.

Players Who Could Define KCL 2026

Several established players will command attention, but the league’s biggest story may come from an emerging cricketer.

Sachin Baby brings experience, leadership and consistency to Alleppey. Mohammed Azharuddeen is capable of providing rapid starts, while Jalaj Saxena offers control with the ball and valuable runs.

Calicut will expect Rohan Kunnummal to set the tempo at the top of the order. Salman Nizar gives the middle order composure, and Akhil Scaria remains an important wicket-taking option. Vignesh Puthur’s IPL exposure makes him another intriguing player in the Globstars squad.

For Kochi, Basil Thampi’s pace and experience could be decisive in powerplay and death-over situations. Vinoop Manoharan and Saly Samson will also be important as the champions attempt to defend their title.

Vishnu Vinod gives Trivandrum a proven attacking batter, while MD Nidheesh strengthens Kollam’s bowling resources. Thrissur’s younger squad could produce one of the season’s breakout performers.

The auction’s two most expensive players, Sibin Gireesh and Krishna Devan, will naturally face greater expectations. Their performances will be watched closely as fans assess whether the large investments translate into match-winning contributions.

Why the Kerala Cricket League Matters

The KCL is more than a short T20 tournament. It creates a bridge between club or district cricket and higher levels of the domestic game.

Young cricketers get to compete alongside experienced professionals, play under floodlights, perform in front of television audiences and learn to deal with the pressures of franchise cricket. A strong KCL season can improve a player’s visibility and potentially lead to opportunities in Kerala’s senior team or larger domestic competitions.

The league also gives coaches, selectors and franchise scouts a concentrated view of Kerala’s available talent. Players must demonstrate not only technical ability but also adaptability, fitness, game awareness and the temperament to perform under pressure.

For supporters, the competition offers regional identity and accessible entertainment during Kerala’s festive season. Free entry, live broadcasting and recognisable city-based franchises can help build stronger relationships between local communities and the state’s cricketers.

Which Teams Are the KCL 2026 Favourites?

Kochi Blue Tigers begin among the favourites because they are the defending champions and started the season with a convincing victory. Their combination of experience, all-round depth and recent winning confidence makes them difficult opponents.

Aries Kollam Sailors cannot be overlooked. Appearing in the first two KCL finals is evidence of their consistency, even though their 2026 campaign began with a defeat.

Alleppey Ripples could be the major improvers. Their recruitment of Sachin Baby, Sibin Gireesh and other established performers gives them a more competitive structure than in previous seasons.

Calicut Globstars possess an exciting young group led by Rohan Kunnummal. If their leading batters score consistently and their bowlers control the middle overs, they should challenge for a semifinal place.

Trivandrum Royals have a balanced squad and local familiarity, while Thrissur Titans’ youthful approach makes them unpredictable. In a short T20 league, two or three consecutive victories can rapidly transform a team’s position.

Final Thoughts

The Kerala Cricket League 2026 promises 17 days of competitive T20 action, local rivalries and opportunities for emerging players. With six well-constructed squads, a double round-robin format and four playoff places available, every match can influence the semifinal race.

Kochi Blue Tigers have made a strong start to their title defence, but Kollam’s record, Alleppey’s ambitious recruitment, Calicut’s youthful talent, Trivandrum’s balance and Thrissur’s emerging players should keep the tournament open.

For Kerala cricket, the real success of KCL 2026 will not be measured only by the team that lifts the trophy on September 5. It will also be reflected in the players who use the tournament to advance their careers, the supporters who engage with domestic cricket and the next generation inspired to take up the game.

Frequently Asked Questions