In a ground-breaking development, Kerala batter and Rajasthan Royals’ captain Sanju Samson hogged the headlines by becoming the most expensive player to be purchased in the history of Kerala Premier League. Samson was acquired by the Kochi Blue Tigers franchise for a whopping INR 26.80 Lakhs. This development comes amid rumors of him parting ways with RR to join the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). 

As per emerging reports, various franchises expressed their interestest in securing the services of the flamboyant wicketkeeper batter following the conclusion of IPL 2025. However, Samson has yet to make up his mind and has not publicly issued any statement on this evolving story.  

In the auction, Sampson broke all barriers as he went past the previous record of M.S. Akhil, who was bought for an amount of INR 7.4 lakh by Trivandrum Royals. 

See also: Samson-Varma destructive centuries drive India to 283/1

Here is how the bidding war unfolded in the KCL 2025 auction

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍! 💸🔥

Sanju Samson – international icon, IPL star, Ranji powerhouse is sold to Kochi Blue Tigers for ₹26.8L! The roar just got louder 🐅💙#KCL2025 #KCLSeason2 pic.twitter.com/gU9I96emkz

— Kerala Cricket League (@KCL_t20) July 5, 2025

Sanju Samson was listed at a base price of INR 3 lakh. But as the bidding war gathered pace, his price shot up to INR 5 lakh and then INR 10 lakh in a matter of moments. The bidding war came to an end eventually when the Kochi Blue Tigers spent more than half of their INR 50 lakh purse value on the India wicket-keeper's signing.

Samson is now all set to make his maiden appearance in the second edition of the KCL. Previously, in light of his international duties, Samson had requested a break and skipped the inaugural edition of the KCL despite being announced as its brand ambassador. However, this recent development now marks Samson's first high-profile participation in a tournament managed by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) following his controversial exclusion from the Vijay Hazare Trophy team in December 2024, which occurred after he did not attend a preparatory camp conducted in Wayanad.

Ultimately, Kerala advanced to the Ranji Trophy final for the first time ever, concluding the tournament as runners-up to Vidarbha.