
Krishna Devan, 27, became the second most expensive player in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) auction at Rs 11.20 lakh after a journey from food delivery executive to power-hitter. Once a Kerala…
Krishna Devan, 27, became the second most expensive player in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) auction at Rs 11.20 lakh after a journey from food delivery executive to power-hitter. Once a Kerala University javelin champion, a shoulder injury ended his athletics career at 21. He turned to cricket, but financial struggles forced him to work as a delivery executive in Bengaluru for eight months. A club patron gifted him a full kit and urged him to return home. He soon earned a reputation as a terrifying hitter, smashing four sixes in the final over of a President's Cup semifinal to steal an impossible win for KCA Lions. Despite a thumb injury requiring surgery, he returned with match-winning knocks in the NSK Trophy T20 in June. Calicut Globstars picked him for Rs 75,000 in the second KCL season, but he got few chances.
Separately, wicket-keeper Manav Krishna, who scored a century against Sri Lanka in the Youth Test in July, is set for his long-awaited KCL debut after Thrissur Titans picked him for the third season. He was a surprise omission in the second season auction and a replacement call went unfulfilled because of an NCA camp. Manav has played Ranji Trophy and earned the India Under-19 cap. He moved from Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram to train under mentor S.S. Shine, who calls him one of the best young talents in Kerala.
Every underdog story inspires, but the KCL auction price tag of Rs 11.20 lakh brings hype that must meet performance. We have seen early promise fade when attention shifts. Krishna Devan's story is refreshingly honest about setbacks, from stock trading losses to delivering food in Bengaluru. The real test begins in the upcoming KCL season. Can he translate his power-hitting reputation into consistent runs when bowlers now know his game? The answer will decide if this is a flash or a career.
Sources (2): thehindu.com, sportstar.thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.