File Pic: Aditya Sarwate
The return of these two spinners comes when Kerala wants a stronger push after a modest 2025-26 league season, where they finished Elite Group B with one win, two losses and four draws from seven games. Before that, Sarwate is poised to feature in Kerala’s two practice games against Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar from Sept 11, as part of the team’s preparations for the Ranji season.
After last season, I approached KCA, asking them if I could return, and they readily agreed,” he told TOI. He is a true legend,” Sarwate said. “Once his personal issues were sorted, he chose to come back to the team that has been his home for close to a decade,” KCA secretary Vinod S Kumar said.
KOCHI: There is a sense of deja vu around Kerala ’s spin department ahead of the Ranji Trophy season. Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate is back, and with Jalaj Saxena alongside him, Kerala once again look like a team capable of dictating terms and asserting their dominance on pitches that offer even the slightest assistance. “I enjoyed my time in Kerala, when we reached the Ranji Trophy final. There was some miscommunication with the then Kerala coach Amay Khurasiya , following which I shifted to Chhattisgarh. “I am looking forward to bowling in tandem with Jalaj bhai. “I have picked up details about the game after bowling with him. His game awareness, field placements and building pressure on the opposition are top-notch. Jalaj, the off-spinner, and Sarwate, the left-arm spinner give Kerala attack the ammunition it requires to go the distance this season. Kerala pacer MD Nidheesh , currently in Chennai with the Duleep Trophy squad, knows what Kerala missed in their absence last season. Jalaj moved to Maharashtra last season after obtaining the NOC from the KCA, citing personal reasons. The KCA is set to announce the head coach for the Kerala Ranji Trophy team soon, with a top official stating it would be done by the end of this week.