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The Indian Premier League (IPL) trade market is buzzing ahead of the retention deadline. Hardik Pandya is the most discussed topic, and it is not certain whether he will leave or get retained. Earlier, rumours suggested that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be the frontrunner, but currently Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are in talks with Mumbai Indians (MI). Meanwhile, CSK have their eyes set on another all-rounder. England’s hard-hitting batter Liam Livingstone is on CSK’s list.
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As per a report by Cricbuzz, not just CSK, but there is another franchise from the north that has shown interest in Livingstone. The inquiries have come despite an unimpressive season for the English all-rounder for SRH, where he wasn't a regular part of the playing XII.
It has been reported that CSK are likely to release their Rs 14.2 crore players Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. If the deal with SRH is to go through, CSK can barely offer something in return. An all-cash deal seems like the only option. Livingstone was roped in by SRH for Rs 13 crore. Also, the hard-hitter is unlikely to take a pay cut.
The only player CSK could offer to SRH was left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed. Khaleel was retained for Rs 4.80 crore. But SRH have recently roped back in left-arm pacer T Natarajan from Delhi Capitals (DC), giving them leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari in return. It is unlikely they will go for another left-arm pacer.
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Is Livingstone a good fit for CSK?
Last year, CSK often played with three overseas players. Matthew Short could not do well in Dewald Brevis' absence. When Brevis recovered from injury, he wasn't at his best either. CSK need a fiery all-rounder in the middle order as Sarfaraz Khan couldn't fulfil that role, and their Rs 14.20 crore recruits were not as potent as they had expected.
Other franchise’s interest in Livingstone
The report had mentioned a franchise from the north is interested in the 33-year-old. In last year’s mini-auction, it was Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) who engaged in a bidding war with SRH. After trading skipper Rishabh Pant, they may want a middle-order batter with firepower. But LSG already have Josh Inglis in their side who is likely to be available for the entire season. Plus, their top-order is already stacked with overseas players Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran.
“The franchises are certainly discussing Livingstone and another player apart from Khaleel in CSK. Multiple players and multiple franchises are involved in the trade discussions, not just two, and nothing has been finalised,” sources told Cricbuzz. “It may or may not go through.”
Northern franchises Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) need a middle-order big-hitter as well. It is unlikely that PBKS look to rope back in Livingstone. Also, DC already have South African duo David Miller and Tristan Stubbs in their lineup.
Livingstone’s numbers in IPL 2026
Livingstone was barely used by SRH franchise. He played just two games and scored 15 runs. And they paid a hefty sum of Rs 13 crore for just 15 runs in two outings. That’s the reason why trading Livingstone makes sense to SRH. If the trade does not go through, SRH can even release him from the squad ahead of the mini-auction in Goa.
Livingstone nears 1,000 T20 runs in 2026
In 2026, Livingstone has played in different franchise tournaments. He continues to face snubs from England selectors and was open about the lack of communication from the management.
From 35 games, he has scored 992 runs, averaging just over 30. His strike rate is 147.83. He scored seven half-centuries with a high score of 85 not out.
He will be seen in action for the Gulf Giants in the ILT20 2026. Gulf Giants begin their campaign on November 22. If the Livingstone trade doesn't materialise and he puts his name in the auction, he will use ILT20 as a platform to showcase his form.
When was Livingstone's best season with bat?
Before joining SRH, he was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) maiden IPL title win in 2025. He managed 112 runs from eight innings. Before that, he played three seasons for PBKS. In 2022, he scored 437 runs from 14 innings at an average of 36.41 and a strike rate of 182.08, featuring four fifties. In IPL 2023, he scored 297 runs from nine innings, including a 94-run knock. In the subsequent season, he got nine opportunities and managed to score 111 runs only.
Who will captain SRH in IPL 2027?
Pat Cummins is the current captain of SRH, but he had earlier expressed that he may skip IPL 2027 to focus on international cricket. Before the IPL, Cummins will play the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2027, which will end on March 3. Then, he will play MCG's 150th anniversary Test starting on March 11. The IPL 2027 is followed by the World Test Championship (WTC) 2027 final and the Ashes 2027 on English soil. Cummins has often talked about prioritising Test cricket. In order to manage his workload, he may opt against playing IPL 2027.
Last year, Ishan Kishan led SRH in an unfit Cummins’ absence for the first half with opener Abhishek Sharma as his deputy. If Cummins isn’t available and informs the franchise beforehand, they will have Rs 18 crore extra in the purse before the auction.
Another player with a big price tag SRH may look to release is Harshal Patel. He has not been as potent as he used to be in the death overs. SRH may look to invest in a utility all-rounder to provide more balance in the middle order.
SRH full squad
Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Liam Livingstone, Aniket Verma, Smaran Ravichandran, Salil Arora, Kamindu Mendis, Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Jack Edwards, T. Natarajan, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, Jaydev Unadkat, Shivam Mavi, Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge, Onkar Tarmale, Amit Kumar, and Krains Fuletra.
Replacement players: David Payne, RS Ambrish, Gerald Coetzee, and Dilshan Madushanka.
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