The 2025 Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) TCM Pink T20 Challengers set the stage for Kerala’s premier women’s cricketing talents to shine in a two-week cricketing celebration. Hosted entirely at the picturesque St. Xavier’s College Ground in Thumba, the tournament promises a vibrant and uninterrupted cricketing spectacle. The action begins on May 5, 2025, with the tournament opener featuring KCA Pearl Women squaring off against KCA Ruby Women.
Five teams—KCA Pearl, KCA Ruby, KCA Emerald, KCA Amber, and KCA Sapphire—will compete in a double round-robin league format. This structure ensures that each side enjoys ample game time and opportunities to showcase their prowess. The top two teams at the conclusion of the league phase will earn a spot in the grand finale on May 15.
Squads:
KCA Pearl
Anupriya P, Aritha P V, Divya Ganesh, Esha Jobin, Isha Faizal, Jahnvi Venkatesh, Keerthy Damodharan, Steffy Stanley, Akshaya P P, Keerthi James, Niya Nazneen, Sradha Sumesh, Thayyil Shani, Abinya U, Jayalekshmi Jayachandran, Aryananda N S, Bhavyananda I P, Mrudula V S, Urvashi S R
KCA Ruby
Akhila Ponnukuttan, Anvitha RV, Ashima Antony, Adhila A, Keren Jose, S Gowrinandana, Sourabhya P, Theertha KR, Theertha Suresh, Abina M, Ananya Nair, I Vasudevan Drishya, Ajanya TP, Badra Parameshwaran, Mayuka Vinod Nair, Nandini PT, Parvathy Kunjumon, Sreekrishna Haridas, Vinaya Surendran
Players to watch out:
Divya Ganesh
A crafty off-spinner, Divya was the highest wicket-taker in the 2024 edition, claiming 11 wickets in 8 matches for KCA Amber. Her all-round ability was evident as she also contributed 85 runs across 7 innings, playing a key role in Amber’s runner-up finish.
Thayyil Shani
A genuine all-rounder, Shani amassed 143 runs and picked up 10 wickets in just 7 matches last season for KCA Ruby. She was the fourth-highest run-scorer and third-highest wicket-taker, underlining her match-winning potential.
I Vasudevan Drishya
The prolific right-handed batter lit up the 2024 season with a tournament-topping 222 runs from 7 matches for KCA Pearl. Her consistency at the top makes her a vital cog in the Pearl lineup.
Vinaya Surendran
A seasoned performer, Vinaya made waves at the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy with 11 wickets in 6 games at an outstanding average of 10.09 and a stingy economy of 4.86. She also took a five-wicket haul which showcases her ability to single-handedly turn matches.
Pitch:
The wicket at St. Xavier’s College Ground is known for aiding bowlers, especially spinners, with its slow and gripping surface. Low totals are common here, with the average first-innings score hovering around 105. Expect the captain winning the toss to elect to bat first and make the most of the early conditions before the pitch slows down further.
Weather:
Rain may play spoilsport, with a 50% chance of showers and the possibility of thunderstorms during match hours. The temperature is expected to be around 33°C, accompanied by high humidity levels peaking at 82%, which could make conditions tough for players.
Fantasy Playing XI:
M Abina, Jayalekshmi Dev Jayachandran, Sradha Sumesh, Akhila Ponnukuttan, Drishya Devan, Ganesh Divya, Shani Sasidharan, Haridas Sreekrishna, Niya Nazneen, James Keerthi, TP Ajanya
Match details:
Date – May 5, 2025
Time – 08:45 AM IST
Venue – St. Xavier’s College Ground, Thumba
Broadcast – Live streaming available in India on FanCode.
