KOCHI: Sanju Samson will return as captain of Kerala in the longer format as he will lead the team that has been picked to play the first two matches of Ranji Trophy this season.
Sijomon Joseph has been elevated as vice-captain of the team which will also feature four new faces.
The newcomers are promising batsmen Shoun Roger and Krishna Prasad, off-spinner Vysakh Chandran, and wicketkeeper-batsman Sachin Suresh, who will be an understudy to Sanju.
Southpaw Rohan Prem makes a comeback to the team that will feature all-rounder Jalaj Saxena as the lone professional guest player. Opener Rahul P has been named in the squad, but he will join the team only after proving his fitness.
The prominent names missing in the squad are Mohammed Azharuddeen and Vishnu Vinod. Ex-India pacer Tinu Yohannan will continue in his role as head coach of the team.
Kerala will take on Jharkhand in their Ranji Trophy opener in Ranchi on December 13. Their second match will be against Rajasthan on December 20.
Kerala squad: Sanju V Samson (c & wk), Sijomon Joseph (vc), Rohan S Kunnummal, Krishna Prasad, Vathsal Govind Sharma, Rohan Prem, Sachin Baby, Shoun Roger, Akshay Chandran, Jalaj Saxena, Basil Thampi, Nidheesh MD, Fanoos F, Basil N P, Vysakh Chandran, Sachin S (wk), Rahul P (subject to fitness)
