Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth believes Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) won the four-player trade with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and he did not take long to explain why. Reacting on his YouTube channel after the IPL confirmed the deal on November 5, the former India captain called Jack Edwards “an ordinary bowler”, questioned how Liam Livingstone fits into the CSK XI, and said the swap “definitely favors SRH”.
The trade, confirmed in an IPL media advisory, sends Livingstone and Edwards to Chennai in exchange for Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis. Livingstone joins at a revised Rs 6 crore, down from the Rs 13 crore SRH paid for him at auction, while Edwards arrives on his existing Rs 3 crore. Khaleel returns to Hyderabad, where he played from 2018 to 2021, at Rs 4.8 crore, and Ellis moves at Rs 2 crore.
Providing his verdict on the trade, Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka:
“Why Jack Edwards? He is an ordinary bowler. I am okay with CSK giving away Khaleel Ahmed as he’s nothing great. This trade is a better one for SRH. Personally, I think Livingstone is a good cricketer if utilised well. But how he fits in with CSK is a big question mark. CSK should release Matt Short, who is a waste, and see if Livingstone can be an upgrade for him.”
The 2026 numbers explain some of Srikkanth’s doubt. Livingstone made two appearances for SRH, scoring 15 runs at a strike rate of 60, a season after being part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning squad.
Edwards, 26, has never played an IPL game. SRH signed him before his Australia debut, then a foot injury cost him the entire season, though he took 19 wickets and scored 133 runs at 168.35 in 10 innings for Sydney Sixers in the 2025-26 Big Bash League.
Srikkanth questions how CSK fit Livingstone and Edwards into their XI
Kris Srikkanth lists Dewald Brevis, Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton as “three sure-starters” among the overseas players, leaving Livingstone to fight for a fourth slot, possibly against Akeal Hosein. Edwards, he adds, lacks the domestic record to settle the argument.
“CSK already have three sure-starters among their overseas players in Dewald Brevis, Noor Ahmad and Jamie Overton. So Livingstone can only be the fourth option, and even there, CSK could go with Akeal Hosein. It’s a very confusing trade and not a convincing trade for CSK. Will CSK benefit from this? It’s a big question mark. I am not convinced by Edwards either, and his domestic track record is also nothing great. So this trade definitely favors SRH,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
Last season, CSK finished eighth with 12 points from 14 matches, six wins and eight defeats, while SRH finished third on 18 points and reached the playoffs.
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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
