Thiruvananthapuram: With the player auction for the third season of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) fast approaching, franchises have unveiled their list of retained players. Aries Kollam Sailors and Thrissur Titans have retained four players each, while Calicut Globstars and Trivandrum Royals have retained three apiece. Kochi Blue Tigers have retained two players, and Alleppey Ripples have retained one. Under league rules, each franchise can retain a maximum of four players.

Aries Kollam Sailors have retained N. M. Sharafuddeen and Abhishek J. Nair from Category A, along with Pavan Raj and Vijay Viswanath from Category B. Sharafuddeen will receive ₹7.5 lakh, Abhishek ₹5 lakh, while Pavan Raj and Vijay Viswanath will earn ₹1.5 lakh each. Sharafuddeen has been one of the team’s standout all-rounders over the past two seasons, while Abhishek finished as the side’s second-highest run-scorer last season.

Thrissur Titans have retained Ahmed Imran and Shoun Roger from Category A, together with Aditya Vinod and A. K. Arjun from Category C. Teenage sensation Ahmed Imran will receive ₹7.5 lakh after an impressive campaign in which he amassed 437 runs to finish as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer. Shoun Roger will earn ₹5 lakh, while Aditya Vinod and A. K. Arjun will receive ₹1.5 lakh each.

Calicut Globstars have once again retained Salman Nizar, Rohan S. Kunnummal and Akhil Scaria. Salman Nizar will receive ₹7.5 lakh, Rohan ₹5 lakh, and Akhil Scaria ₹3.75 lakh. Salman played several match-winning innings for the team, while Akhil, the league’s leading wicket-taker over the last two seasons, was also named Player of the Tournament last year for his outstanding all-round performances. Rohan was the team’s leading run-scorer last season with 337 runs.

Trivandrum Royals have retained last season’s leading run-scorer Krishna Prasad (Category A) for ₹7.5 lakh. The franchise has also retained V. Ajith (Category C) and Govind Dev Pai (Category B), with both players receiving ₹1.5 lakh each.

Kochi Blue Tigers have retained captain Saly Samson for ₹7.5 lakh and Mohammed Ashiq for ₹1.5 lakh. Both players belong to Category C and were instrumental in the team’s successful campaign last season.

Alleppey Ripples have retained only one player, Mohammed Azharuddeen from Category A, for ₹7.5 lakh.

The KCL Season 3 player auction is scheduled to be held on July 11.