3 reasons why CSK should consider a trade for Liam Livingstone ahead of IPL 2027

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are among the franchises exploring a trade for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Liam Livingstone ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 mini auction. The England international was roped in by the 2016 champions in the previous auction for INR 13 crore, but featured only twice for them in the 2026 season

According to a report by Cricbuzz, Liam Livingstone has interest from more than one IPL franchise ahead of the November 17 retention deadline. Sunrisers Hyderabad are yet to decide whether to let him go.

CSK, who could be among the franchises active in the auction after a poor IPL 2026 season, could be a solid fit for Liam Livingstone. Zaheer Khan took over as head coach in September on a one-year deal, replacing Stephen Fleming after 18 years, and inherited a squad that has missed the playoffs three seasons running.

Liam Livingstone’s IPL and international career has been quite erratic in recent years, and in IPL 2026, he scored only 15 runs in two appearances. However, his reputation and potential, coupled with CSK’s needs at the moment, could make it a flawed deal on paper that could actually work.

On that note, let us take a look at the three reasons why CSK should consider a trade for Liam Livingstone ahead of IPL 2027.

#1 He is a versatile X-Factor player that the modern-day CSK need

CSK’s batting unit had merit on paper, but it did not work out as planned. Ruturaj Gaikwad was unconvincing as an opener, Ayush Mhatre was injured early into the campaign, Sanju Samson was inconsistent, while both Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube were massive let-downs. The likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Urvil Patel tried to make an impact, but it was evident that CSK missed something on their side.

Liam Livingstone’s versatility is a major temptation for CSK. He has spent most of his T20 career between No. 4 and No. 6, and the appeal here is his flexibility. He can be the floater who can bat anywhere in the side, or even a designated finisher CSK desperately needs in MS Dhoni’s absence and lack of options in the player pool.

His ability with the ball is also another factor. Although the Chepauk is hardly a dream venue for spinners like it was in the past, his ability to bowl both off-spin and leg spin is something that needs to be considered. As things stand, CSK do not have a conventional off-spinner in their side. Their current spin unit of Noor Ahmad (13 wickets in 14 matches at 32.92 in IPL 2026) and Akeal Hosein (8 wickets in 7 matches at 24.75) is not the long-term solution, especially since it affects batting depth as well.

A batting all-rounder like Liam Livingstone, who can bowl two or three overs in a match-up, even with the luxury of an extra specialist with the impact player rule, gives CSK an extra option, and a way out of picking a second spinner instead of using a spot for a specialist when the surface does not need one.

#2 CSK need someone outside the top order who can take on raw pace

CSK’s issue with raw pace was evident in IPL 2026. They lost 18 wickets inside the powerplay, joint most in the competition, which pushed the middle order up against the new ball and then asked it to make up ground later. The likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kartik Sharma, and Dewald Brevis’ inability to take on pace straightaway cost CSK some serious momentum. Their average strike rate against pace in IPL 2026 after facing a combined 382 deliveries was just 130.62.

The problem extends to the lower order as well, with Prashant Veer and Matt Short having a strike rate of 124.44 and 119.51 against pace, respectively.

Liam Livingstone, on the other hand, has a strike rate of 181.89 against pace in the IPL, with a dot ball percentage of 35.70, and a boundary every 3.56 deliveries. Although his numbers have dipped in recent times, lack of game time has played a major role. Overall, he still has a strike rate of over 200 in three successive seasons from 2022 onwards.

#3 CSK could use an upgrade over Matt Short

Matt Short was roped in by CSK for IPL 2026 for his base price of INR 1.5 crore as a top-order power hitter who could also bowl off-spin, and came in with huge expectations as a potential utility player. An early injury to Dewald Brevis gave Matt Short an opportunity, but it did not go as expected.

The Australian finished the season with only 60 runs in three innings at 117.65, a highest score of 34, and 19 balls bowled for no wickets at an economy of 12.3. He was pushed into the middle order, far from his comfort spot in the top order, and he largely struggled throughout his stint.

Liam Livingstone is not a like-for-like replacement for Matt Short per se, and CSK don’t need it either since the profile they are searching for is different, which suits the Englishman much better. He is a middle-order player by trade, bowls two kinds of spin rather than one, and would arrive with a ceiling Short has not reached in the IPL.

Edited by Gokul Nair