Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up on a four-player trade between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. On Thursday, CSK decided to trade out Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis for Jack Edwards and Liam Livingstone from SRH.
Ashwin reckons Chennai Super Kings have taken a punt on Liam Livingstone and wants the franchise to back the all-rounder as a pace-hitting finisher, who could replace legendary MS Dhoni.
The English batter has scored 1066 runs in 51 IPL matches at an average of 25.38 and a strike rate of 155.17.
Livingstone’s fee has dropped from INR 13 crore to 6 crore after the trade deal.
Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “At a reduced cost of 6 crores, CSK has taken a punt on Livingstone. He can smash, and CSK have been searching for a pace-hitting finisher as a replacement for Dhoni. He might turn a corner as a pace-hitter in Chepauk.”
The former CSK all-rounder expressed his surprise after the franchise made a trade deal with SRH but he believes they might have a bigger auction plan.
“This trade came out of the syllabus. I am surprised CSK made this move. This trade is a massive gain for SRH. Hyderabad is a high-scoring ground, and SRH has bolstered their side with another defensive bowler in Ellis. CSK has given away two first-11 players. But whether Livingstone and Edwards are first-11 options for CSK remains to be seen,” said Ashwin (via the aforementioned source).
“But I feel CSK may be planning something internally that’s not evident on the outside. By releasing Prashant Veer and a few others, they could enter the auction with 25 to 30 crores. Maybe they are sensing a marquee player like Cameron Green entering the auction. I’ve also heard that CSK are looking hard for the left-arm spinner.”
IPL 2027 auction will be held in Goa in mid-December.
