When Liam Livingstone walked in to bat to bat for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 2025 clash against Desert Vipers, he was yet to find any takers at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. After going unsold in the first round, Livingstone was not expected to fetch a hefty sum. But, such is the nature of the IPL auctions, the specific need to fill a particular slot leads to a bidding war. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) started the bidding in the accelerated part of the auction. Apart from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Gujarat Titans (GT) were interested for a brief period before paddles went up in an instant with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) joining in. In the end, LSG's purse ran out and SRH roped him in for Rs 13 crore. Livingstone did not disappoint them and scored a 48-ball 76 after the openers were dismissed cheaply. In a high-voltage thrilling clash, Knight Riders beat Vipers by one run.
Livingstone rescues Knight Riders
Vipers skipper Lockie Ferguson won the toss and opted to bowl first at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. There was no Salt-Pepper show as Phil got out for a golden duck to Khuzaima Tanveer and Michael was dismissed by Ferguson. Alex Hales lost his wicket to Ferguson in the fifth over for an 18-ball 25. Livingstone had the responsibility to post a challenging total. He found a partner in Alishan Sharafu who played the anchor role. They shared a 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sharafu scored 39 runs from 35 balls.
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Livingstone accelerated as the slog overs approached. He hit Qais Ahmed for two sixes and reached his fifty from 36 balls. Sherfane Rutherford joined in and hit Noor Ahmad for two sixes and a four. In the penultimate over, Livingstone hit Tanveer for three fours. It was on the penultimate ball of the innings, he lost his wicket to Ferguson. The English all-rounder hit three sixes and six fours in his 48-ball 76. Rutherford remained unbeaten for a 14-ball 24 as Knight Riders posted 181/5.
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Impressive opening partnership
In the run chase, Vipers got off to a good start. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Max Holden put on 53 runs in the powerplay overs. At the halfway stage, they were 89 for no loss. Holden reached his fifty from 41 balls. Andre Russell was introduced in the attack and he delivered with Holden's wicket. He hit six fours in his 43-ball 52. The openers shared a 97-run partnership from 69 balls. In his second over, Russell dismissed Zaman lbw for a 32-ball 44.
Knight Riders fend off Vipers in slog overs
Hasan Nawaz hit a couple of sixes before losing his wicket to Ajay Kumar in the 16th over. Skipper Jason Holder returned and got the wicket of Sam Curran. In the 18th over, Olly Stone got the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer. Rajasthan Royals (RR) star overseas middle-order batters failed to put pressure in the run chase. Tanveer tried to revive the run chase with a four and a six off Stone in the same over. Russell bowled a brilliant penultimate over, conceding just five runs. Ajay was handed the responsibility to bowl the final over and defend 13 runs. He started with a no ball and Dan Lawrence hit it for a four. He became well and three runs came off the next three balls. On the fourth ball, Tanveer lost his wicket to a slower one. With five needed off two balls, Ajay held his nerve against Tom Bruce as Knight Riders won by one run. This is Desert Vipers' first defeat of the season after six consecutive wins.Â