Chennai Super Kings are exploring a trade for Liam Livingstone, who Sunrisers Hyderabad bought for INR 13 crore. While discussions are ongoing, SRH remains undecided about the swap. Sources said, “Multiple players and multiple franchises are involved in the trade discussions, not just two, and nothing has been finalised.”
Whether and when the much-debated Hardik Pandya trade goes through is still not clear but another exchange offer is attracting attention and gaining traction within the IPL framework. It involves Liam Livingstone and a couple of franchises, besides of course Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Cricbuzz learns that Chennai Super Kings are exploring the possibility of taking the English all-rounder, who was bought by the Hyderabad franchise for INR 13 crore at the last auction. An interest from another northern franchise may have come for the former England international but at this stage it is only in the discussion stage. Sunrisers Hyderabad are believed to be undecided.
Livingstone (33) had a rather underwhelming season last year, scoring 15 runs in two games before he losing his spot in the playing XII (including Impact Player). He was bought by Sunrisers after Royal Challengers Bengaluru released him. RCB had bought him for INR 8.75 crore in the previous mega auction.
At this stage, it is still not known who the players being offered in exchange to SRH and whether the Hyderabad side is comfortable with the swap. Some sources say Chennai Super Kings are open to giving Khaleel Ahmed, but the information may not be entirely credible considering the fact that the Hyderabad side has recently acquired T Natarajan, a veteran left-arm pacer like Khaleel, only recently.
“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 said. “It may or may not go through.”
With the retention deadline approaching on November 17, it may not be long before the franchises finalise the deal. At the time of writing, officials from any of the franchises were available for comment.
Coming back to Pandya, discussions are at an advanced stage involving multiple franchises but MI are yet to zero in one deal. However, as mentioned earlier, the situation could move quickly, with only two weeks remaining before the cut-off date for retention, if not for a trade.