India’s wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson will not play in the third season of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) due to personal reasons. The third season will be held from August 20 to September 5 at the Sports Hub Greenfield stadium.

Kochi Blue Tigers, which bought Sanju for a record sum of Rs. 26.80 lakh last season, didn’t retain him and his name also doesn’t figure in the players draft for the auction list.

The auction will be held on July 11.

“Sanju had informed the Kochi Blue Tigers and KCA about his unavailability for the third edition of the KCL because of prior commitments.

“So it wasn’t a surprise that he was released by Kochi Blue Tigers ahead of the auction.

“He is a big star and his absence will be felt. But KCL is gaining popularity among cricket fans and we believe this season to be as exciting as the previous ones,’’ said Nazar Machan, the chairman of KCL governing council.

Sanju played three matches for Blue Tigers last season and scored 221 runs, including a 51-ball 121 against Aires Kollam Sailors.

He was the biggest attraction of the second edition, drawing the biggest crowds in the three matches he played.

His absence will be a big blow for the fledgling league.