CSK eye Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder in trade deal ahead of IPL 2027 auction
New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have reportedly entered the fray for a trade deal for England all-rounder Liam Livingstone from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). CSK are one of the teams heavily linked with a move for star India all-rounder . While it remains to be seen if the Hardik trade will materialise, CSK are also making moves elsewhere.
As per a report in Cricbuzz, England all-rounder Livingstone has been attracting interest from a couple of franchises, and CSK are one of the teams looking to trade him. Another northern franchise is also interested in trading Livingstone from SRH in exchange for another player.
As per the reporter, the trade talks are only in the discussion stage, and SRH remain undecided on whether to let go of the England star. SRH paid Rs 13 crore to sign Livingstone in the IPL auction last year. He endured a poor season, scoring only 15 runs in two matches before losing his spot in the playing XI.
As per Cricbuzz, some sources have claimed that CSK are willing to offer left-arm Indian pacer Khaleel Ahmed in a deal for Livingstone. However, that information might not be accurate as SRH have already brought back left-arm pacer T Natarajan from Delhi Capitals in a trade deal that saw spinner Zeeshan Ansari go the other way.
A source claimed that CSK might also trade another player apart from Khaleel if SRH agree to send Livingstone the other way.
“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. It may or may not go through,” Cricbuzz quoted sources.
Why CSK are eyeing Livingstone?
CSK struggled when it came to finishing strongly during the IPL 2026 earlier this year. With MS Dhoni missing the entire season due to multiple injuries, the team lacked firepower in the middle and the lower middle order. Shivam Dube was often left alone to do the majority of the work as others failed to live up to expectations.
Livingstone is an experienced middle-order batter who can solve CSK’s finishing woes. However, the England all-rounder has failed to impress in the IPL over the last few seasons, raising questions over his quality and consistency. Livingstone has played for 4 teams in his IPL career so far and has 1066 runs to his name in 51 matches at an average of over 25 and a strike rate of 155.16.
His best IPL season came for the Punjab Kings in 2022, when he notched up 437 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of over 182.