Ranji Trophy: Kerala eye fresh start as they open against Jharkhand

Kerala are set to open their Ranji Trophy season against Jharkhand at Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur on Sunday. The team enters the campaign with a fresh setup featuring new captain Vishnu Vinod and newly appointed coach Swapnil Asnodkar, a former Goa batter. Kerala mentor Prashant Padmanabhan noted that the dry pitch is anticipated to assist spinners later in the match.

While experienced veterans Jalaj Saxena and Aditya Sarwate are expected to lead the bowling attack, off-spinner Vaisakh Chandran is also positioned to make a strong impact. Chandran, who took 11 wickets in a recent pre-season warm-up match in Hyderabad, returns to first-class cricket following a shoulder injury and personal setbacks.