M. Sajeevan Akhil becomes most expensive acquisition in Kerala Cricket League 2024 auction

The inaugural auction of the Kerala Cricket League, held in Thiruvananthapuram, witnessed M. Sajeevan Akhil securing the top bid, as the Trivandrum Royals acquired him for INR 7.4 lakh. The 33-year-old all-rounder from Ernakulam has made four T20 appearances to date.

The six-franchise T20 tournament is set to unfold at the Greenfield International Stadium from September 2 to 19.

Speaking of icon players, P.A. Abdul Basit (Trivandrum Royals), Sachin Baby (Kollam Sailors), Mohammad Azharuddin (Alleppey Ripples), Basil Thampi (Kochi Blue Tigers), Vishnu Vinod (Thrissur Titans), and Rohan S. Kunnammal (Calicut Globstars) were pre-selected ahead of the auction.

Turning our attention to the top ten acquisitions of the tournament, with the previously mentioned highest bid already highlighted, Varun Nayanar of the Thrissur Titans emerged as the second-most expensive player in the auction, securing a bid of INR 7.2 lakh. The auction also witnessed a couple of players fetching INR 7 lakh, INR 6.2 lakh, and INR 5 lakh respectively. These notable names include Manu Krishan & Salman Nizar, Ajnas M. & Krishna Prasad, and Vinod Kumar C. V. & Akshay Chandran, showcasing their value in this competitive bidding war.  

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Right-arm medium pacer, KM Asif, who has featured in four matches for the Chennai Super Kings, was acquired by the Kollam Sailors for a sum of INR 5.2 lakh.

The six franchises set to compete in the inaugural edition of the tournament include Trivandrum Royals, Thrissur Titans, Kochi Blue Tigers, Calicut Globstars, Alleppey Ripples, and Kollam Sailors.

Below is an overview of the top 10 acquisitions from the KCL 2024 auction:

1) M S Akhil - Trivandrum Royals (INR 7.4 lakh)

2) Varun Nayanar - Thrissur Titans (INR 7.2 lakh)

3)  Manu Krishan - Kochi Blue Tigers, Salman Nizar - Calicut Globstars (INR 7 lakh)

4)  Ajnas M. - Calicut Globstar, Krishna Prasad - Alleppey Ripples (INR 6.2 lakh)

5) KM Asif - Kollam Sailors (INR 5.2 lakh)

6) Vinod Kumar C. V. - Trivandrum Royals, Akshay Chandran - Alleppey
Ripples (INR 5 lakh)

7) . Sharafuddeen - Kollam Sailors (INR 4 lakh)