Hey there, cricket fans! Today, we’re going to talk about some of the most talented cricketers to have emerged from the beautiful state of Kerala. While Kerala may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Indian cricket, the state has produced some exceptional players who have made their mark on the national and international stage.
Let’s start with the man who paved the way for Kerala cricketers – Tinu Yohannan. Born in Kollam in 1979, Tinu was the son of the famous long jumper T.C. Yohannan. Despite his athletic lineage, Tinu chose to pursue cricket and boy, are we glad he did! He started out as a right-arm fast-medium bowler and caught the attention of selectors with his impressive performances in domestic cricket.
In 2001, Tinu made history by becoming the first Kerala player to be selected for the Indian cricket team. He made his Test debut against England in Mohali and picked up the wickets of both openers in his very first over! Although his international career was short-lived, Tinu’s achievement was a huge inspiration for aspiring cricketers in Kerala.
Next up, we have the controversial yet undeniably talented S. Sreesanth. Born in Kothamangalam in 1983, Sreesanth started out as a leg-spinner before switching to fast bowling. He first made waves in 2005 when he picked up 22 wickets in the Challenger Trophy, earning him a spot in the Indian team.
Sreesanth went on to play 27 Tests, 53 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for India, picking up 169 international wickets. He was part of the Indian team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011. However, his career was cut short in 2013 when he was banned for life for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing during the IPL. The ban was later reduced to seven years, but Sreesanth never played for India again.
Despite the controversy, there’s no denying Sreesanth’s talent. He had the ability to swing the ball both ways and was a master of the yorker. His aggressive on-field persona often got him into trouble, but it also made him a fan favorite.
Now, let’s talk about the current poster boy of Kerala cricket – Sanju Samson. Born in Thiruvananthapuram in 1994, Sanju started playing cricket at a young age and quickly made a name for himself in junior cricket. He was the vice-captain of the Indian U-19 team that played in the 2014 World Cup and was also a part of the Indian team that won the 2024 T20 World Cup, although he didn’t get a chance to play.
Sanju made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2013 and has been a regular in the tournament ever since. He’s known for his explosive batting and his ability to play shots all around the ground. In the 2020 IPL, he scored a blistering 74 off just 32 balls against Chennai Super Kings, which included nine sixes!
Sanju made his T20I debut for India in 2015 but had to wait till 2021 to make his ODI debut. He scored his maiden ODI century against South Africa in 2023 and has since established himself as a regular in the Indian white-ball team. With his talent and potential, Sanju could well be the future of Indian cricket.
Here’s a quick comparison of the three Kerala cricketers we’ve talked about:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Wickets | Highest Score/Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tinu Yohannan | 3 Tests, 3 ODIs | 20 runs | 10 wickets | 8 runs / 3/33 |
| S. Sreesanth | 27 Tests, 53 ODIs, 10 T20Is | 281 runs | 169 wickets | 35 runs / 6/55 |
| Sanju Samson | 16 ODIs, 24 T20Is | 510 ODI runs, 374 T20I runs | – | 108 runs / – |
As you can see, each of these players has made a significant contribution to Indian cricket in their own way. While Tinu was a trailblazer for Kerala cricketers, Sreesanth was a match-winner on his day, and Sanju is a rising star with a bright future ahead of him.
But these three are not the only Kerala cricketers to have made a mark. There have been several others who have represented the state with distinction in domestic cricket. Here are a few names that deserve a mention:
- Balan Pandit: A right-handed batsman who played for Kerala in the 1950s and 60s. He scored a record-breaking 262 not out against Madras in the 1959-60 season, which was the highest individual score by a Kerala batsman in Ranji Trophy at the time.
- K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan: A right-arm off-spinner who played for Kerala from 1988 to 2004. He picked up 344 wickets in first-class cricket and was known for his accuracy and flight.
- Rohan Prem: A left-handed batsman who played for Kerala from 2004 to 2019. He scored over 5000 runs in first-class cricket and was a vital cog in the Kerala middle order for many years.
- Sachin Baby: A left-handed batsman who has been playing for Kerala since 2009. He has scored over 3000 runs in first-class cricket and has also represented India A and South Zone.
These are just a few examples of the talent that Kerala has produced over the years. With the rise of Sanju Samson and the emergence of young players like Mohammed Azharuddeen and Sachin Baby, the future of Kerala cricket looks bright.
However, there are still some challenges that Kerala cricket faces. One of the biggest issues is the lack of proper infrastructure and facilities. While there are a few good cricket grounds in the state, most of them are not up to international standards. The Kerala Cricket Association has been working towards improving the facilities, but there is still a long way to go.
Another challenge is the lack of exposure for young players. While the Kerala team has been performing well in domestic cricket in recent years, the players often struggle to make the transition to the national team. This is partly due to the fact that Kerala cricketers don’t get as many opportunities to play against top-quality opposition as players from other states.
To address these challenges, the Kerala Cricket Association needs to focus on developing grassroots cricket and providing better facilities and coaching to young players. They also need to work towards getting more exposure for Kerala cricketers by organizing more tournaments and inviting teams from other states to play in Kerala.
In conclusion, Kerala may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Indian cricket, but the state has produced some exceptional cricketers over the years. From Tinu Yohannan to Sanju Samson, these players have overcome challenges and made a name for themselves on the national and international stage. While there are still some issues that need to be addressed, the future of Kerala cricket looks promising. With the right support and guidance, we can expect to see many more Kerala cricketers making waves in the years to come.
So, the next time someone asks you about the best cricketers from Kerala, you know who to name. These players may not have the same level of fame and recognition as some of their counterparts from other states, but they have certainly made their mark on Indian cricket. As fans, it’s our job to celebrate their achievements and support them in their journey.
Here’s hoping to see many more Kerala cricketers making us proud in the future!
