CCL 2025: Why is Kerala Strikers Not Playing in Celebrity Cricket League Season 11?

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Celebrity Cricket League season 11 has entered the semi-final stage with Karnataka Bulldozers taking on Chennai Rhinos, and Bengal Tigers facing Punjab de Sher at the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Ground in Mysuru on Saturday (March 1).

The cricket carnival for cine and TV stars as well as the backstage crew saw a late change this year with one of the teams pulling out of the tournament, just a few weeks before CCL 2025.

Why is Kerala Strikers not playing in Celebrity Cricket League Season 11?

Kerala Strikers, who made their CCL debut in 2012, withdrew from the 2025 edition of the tournament due to unforeseen circumstances, as revealed by the franchise's social media handle on January 16.

"The co-owners of Kerala Strikers, regret to announce that Kerala Strikers will not be playing this season due to unforeseen / unavoidable circumstances. Sorry," Kerala Strikers posted on Instagram in January.

"Request all to stand by us during this trying times and continue supporting us as always. We will be back Stronger & Bigger in all ways next season - 2026. Stay with us ! Thank you."

Kerala Strikers is co-owned by Padma Shri Mohanlal, Mr. Rajkumar Sethupathy, Mrs. Sripriya Rajkumar, Mr. PM Shaji and Mr. Jaison. The franchise, which finished runners up in 2014 and 2017, had announced they will be back for the next season in their social media statement.

Will Kerala Strikers return for CCL 2026?

Their official handle confirms that they "will be back stronger and bigger in all ways next season", meaning the Kerala Strikers could be back for Celebrity Cricket League season 12 in 2026.

In their eight CCL season appearances, Kerala Strikers has managed to finish runners up twice and reached the semi-final once in 2013. In 2014, the Strikers lost the final against Karnataka Bulldozers, and in 2017, they suffered a loss to Telugu Warriors in the title clash.