RCB head coach picks IPL 2025 champion to captain London Spirit franchise in The Hundred 2026

England's experienced all-rounder Liam Livingstone will become London Spirit's fourth captain in The Hundred history.

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Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma

RCB's Liam Livingstone (R) reacts as he walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the IPL final match against PBKS at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, 2025.

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Liam Livingstone has been in fine form of late in T20 Blast.

Livingstone says he wants to 'make some history' with London Spirit.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025-winning member Liam Livingstone has been named captain of London Spirit ahead of Men’s The Hundred 2026. London Spirit announced Livingstone’s appointment as captain in a video where the English all-rounder is reading a newspaper with headline reading: “London Spirit Men confirm shock captaincy decision”.

“I am really looking forward to leading London Spirit out at Lord’s this summer. It’s an iconic ground and with the largest crowds in the country, I know the fans will create a special atmosphere for every match. There is so much talent throughout the squad and I want us to make some history this summer. I can’t wait to get started,” Livingstone said in the press release.

 

 

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Livingstone will be London Spirit's fourth captain. Earlier Eoin Morgan, Daniel Lawrence and Kane Williamson have led the franchise.

London Spirit head coach, Andy Flower lauded Livingstone. Flower knows Livingstone since his England Lions days and backed him to lead from the front.

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“Liam is a fantastic person to work with, both on and off the field. I’ve known him since he and I were both with the England Lions. Signing him to London Spirit was one of the first things we wanted to do because we knew how significant he will be to everything we are doing at Lord’s this summer. Liam’s determination to improve and succeed is fundamental to what we are looking to establish at London Spirit. He will lead from the front: of that, I have no doubt,” Flower said. 

 

 

Livingstone roars back to form

Livingstone has played five seasons for Birmingham Phoenix. He was released before the 2026 edition. The Lancashire batter has been in fine form with two consecutive 80-plus scores in T20 Blast. On June 9, hours ahead of the announcement, he smashed eight sixes in unbeaten 31-ball 85 as opener against Durham in the run chase.

Lack of chances in IPL 2026

In the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), Livingstone got just two chances where he scored 15 runs from two games. In the presence of Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, he didn't get a chance to play on a regular basis. He was SRH's most expensive buy at the mini-auction at Rs 13 crore.

London Spirit squad -

Jonny Bairstow, Dewald Brevis, Adam Hose, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, James Rew, James Coles, Liam Livingstone (c), Jamie Overton, David Willey, Mason Crane, Matthew Fisher, Tymal Mills, Adam Milne and Adam Zampa.

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