KCA and Sanju Samson encouraged me a lot: KM Asif after being picked by CSK

The 2-day mega auction of IPL saw some hardly-known Indian domestic players becoming the star of the eyes for the fans as they hope that the player is going to deliver for their side in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League which starts in the month of April.

The Kerala-born KM Asif has registered his name on the auction list as well. It was returning to the IPL, Chennai Super Kings who made the bid for the 24-year-old to play for their side for 40 lakhs. With improved performances in the U22 and U25 sides, Asif featured in the Kerala Ranji squad this season but didn’t get a game to his name. The pacer is yet to make a first-class debut but his sheer pace has brought him the IPL contract.

While speaking to Sportstar, Asif thanked the Kerala Cricket Association for their continuous support. It was KCA who looked after the fast-bowler for last 4 years. “I would not have reached this far in cricket if not for the support from the KCA,” Asif told. He trained in Thiruvananthapuram under Biju George.

Asif bagged 5 wickets in 2 matches he featured for Kerala in Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy this season which could be one of the reasons the franchise to go for the fast-bowlers.

Sanju Samson encouraged me: Asif

The right-arm fast-bowler thanked Kerala’s Sanju Samson as well for his continuous support. According to Asif, It was Sanju who helped him give the trials for a number of IPL sides. “He always encouraged me and was one first one to tell me that my pace was above average,” Asif told.

Asif though like every Mallapuram district kid wanted to be a football player. Malappuram has produced a number of Indian football players. But once he changed his school, he started to take the game of cricket seriously. According to Asif, he gained a lot by just being in the squad of Kerala for Ranji season. He said that he also got to work with a player like Sandeep Warrier whom he admires a lot.

He also said that he was looking forward to sharing the dressing room alongside likes of MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Murali Vijay, Ravindra Jadeja, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina and Dwayne Bravo. Apart from him, few other players from the state too got the IPL contracts. Sanju Samson bagged an 8-crore deal with Rajasthan Royals while Basil Thampi was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad.