Sanju Samson tops KPL 2025 auction, bought by Kochi Blue Tigers for ₹26.8 lakh
Thiruvananthapuram: Sanju Samson has emerged as the costliest player in the second season of the Kerala Premier League (KPL) after being snapped up by the Kochi Blue Tigers for a record-breaking ₹26.80 lakh.
According to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), the KPL 2025 auction concluded on Saturday with an intense bidding war involving Kochi Blue Tigers, Trivandrum Royals, and Thrissur Titans, all vying for the Rajasthan Royals captain. Ultimately, Kochi secured Samson's signature.
Wicketkeeper-batter Vishnu Vinod was signed by Aries Kollam Sailors for ₹12.80 lakh, while all-rounder Jalaj Saxena went to Alleppey Ripples for ₹12.40 lakh. M S Akhil, the Most Valuable Player of the previous season, was acquired by Kollam Sailors for ₹8.40 lakh.
Out of 168 available players, 91 were picked in the auction. Teams from Kollam, Alappuzha, and Kozhikode had retained four players each prior to the auction, while Thiruvananthapuram retained three.
The auction took place in the presence of Kerala’s General Education Minister V Sivankutty. Each team was allowed to spend up to ₹50 lakh. Kochi Blue Tigers exhausted their full budget, while Kollam and Calicut spent ₹49.80 lakh each, Trivandrum Royals ₹49.40 lakh, Alleppey Ripples ₹49.35 lakh, and Thrissur Titans ₹49.65 lakh.
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Umpire dies, 15-20 players injured in bee attack during cricket match in Unnao
Unnao/Kanpur (UP) (PTI): A 65-year-old umpire died while several players were injured after a swarm of bees attacked them during a cricket match in Unnao district, police said on Thursday.
A top office-bearer of the Kanpur Cricket Association, which organised the game, confirmed the incident that took place at Sapru Maidan in the Shuklaganj area on Wednesday evening.
According to police officials, Manik Gupta from Kanpur was officiating as the umpire of the cricket match when a swarm of bees suddenly attacked the players and officials present on the ground, triggering panic. Players and spectators ran for cover to save themselves.
Eyewitnesses said Gupta sustained serious injuries in the attack and fell unconscious. He was initially taken to a private hospital in Shuklaganj and later referred to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital in Kanpur as his condition deteriorated. Doctors at this hospital declared him dead.
Another umpire and around 15 to 20 players also suffered bee stings, police said.
In an official confirmation of the incident, S N Singh, president of the Kanpur Cricket Association, told PTI that umpire Manik Gupta died after being attacked by a swarm of bees during a cricket match in Unnao.
When Gupta was being rushed to the hospital, bees were still clinging to his face and body, Singh said, underscoring the intensity of the attack.
He conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the association, stating that it stands firmly with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.
