Vishnu Vinod to lead Kerala in Ranji Trophy opener against Jharkhand
Vishnu Vinod leads Kerala against Jharkhand in Ranji Trophy opener with Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarvate returning to the squad.
Vishnu Vinod will lead Kerala in the Ranji Trophy opener against Jharkhand, scheduled to be held in Jamshedpur from October 11 to 14. Vishnu took over as captain during Kerala's final league match against Goa last season and recently led the side in the practice matches against Jammu & Kashmir and Hyderabad.
The selectors have also named an 18-member team for the upcoming match which features Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarvate, both returning to Kerala for this season. Off spinner Vaishakh Chandran makes a comeback after three seasons while left arm medium pacer Pavan Raj and left-arm spinner J.S. Anuraj earned their maiden call-ups to the senior squad.
Kerala squad: Vishnu Vinod (c), Rohan S. Kunnummal, Abhishek J. Nair, Abhishek P. Nair, Sachin Baby, Ahammed Imran, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Salman Nizar, Varun Nayanar, Jalaj Saxena, Vaisakh Chandran, Aditya Sarvate, J.S. Anuraj, V. Abhijith Praveen, M.D. Nidheesh, Eden Apple Tom, Pavan Raj and N.P. Basil. Coach: Swapnil Asnodkar.
CricHubb Take
The squad signals continuity rather than reinvention. Returning players and debutants suggest the selectors are betting on familiarity with conditions over wholesale change ahead of a season where Kerala's domestic depth will be tested early.