A hopeful squad representing Kerala cricket team is beginning this year's Ranji trophy journey with their opening match against Maharashtra on Wednesday. The team which had a sensational run in the tournament last year were finalists in the league, only losing to the champions Vidharbha in the finals. With the confidence of the last years success and retaining almost the same squad, the team will play Maharashtra from October 15 to 19 at Chandrasekhar Nair Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
"For achieving anything in life, what we need is 'self-belief', I believe the team has that quality that takes them to heights," says Amay Khurasiya, the head-coach of the Kerala team, and the master-mind behind the last years sensational games of the team. "The team has understood what is requires to be at the top. This year, we a great balance in the team with good blend of youth and experience," he added.
"Ahead of the tournament, the team has had enough camps and facilities. The KCA had even arranged camps during monsoon season this year, which is very difficult to carry out here in Kerala. All this has boosted the confidence of the team," the coach added.
The 15 member Kerala squad announced with changed captaincy has sensational batsman Mohammad Azharudheen as the captain and Baba Aparajith, well experienced all-rounder and a first timer in Kerala squad as the vice captain. While superstar Sanju V Samson is also part of the team, chances are less that he will be present for all matches. Other players in the team are former captain Sachin Baby, Akshay Chandran, Ankit Sharma, Salman Nizar, Vatsal Govind, Nedumkankuzhy Basil, M D Nidheesh, Rohan Kunnummal, Shoun Rogers, Eden Apple Tom, Ahmed Imran and Abhishek Nair.