Despite Ranji final show, only 4 Kerala players make IPL cut

AS ANOTHER edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) begins at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, most cricketers from Kerala will be left watching the show from the sidelines despite the state finishing runners-up in the Ranji Trophy.

- MANISHA V CS @Kochi

Only four players from the state figure in this year's IPL. Malayali icon Sanju Samson, who leads Rajasthan Royals, was not part of the Kerala team in the Ranji knockouts.

While left-handed batter and Kerala captain Sachin Baby is with Sunrisers Hyderabad, another batter from the Ranji squad Vishnu Vinod, who formerly played for Mumbai Indians, has been picked by Punjab Kings. An eye-catching selection this time is that of Vignesh Puthur, a 23-year-old from Perinthalmanna, who was acquired by Mumbai Indians for Rs 30 lakh in a surprise move.

A left-arm wrist spinner who played for Alleppey Ripples in the Kerala Cricket League, Vignesh was not part of the Ranji squad.