Former Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Tirumalasetti Suman believes SRH made a trade deal with Chennai Super Kings as Pat Cummins availability for the season is 50-50. On Thursday, CSK decided to trade out Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis for Jack Edwards and Liam Livingstone from SRH.
With the World Cup and the Ashes set to be played in 2027, Cummins could decide to opt out of IPL 2027.
“So, these 4 players didn’t perform in the IPL last year. But still, why did this trade happen? Because of both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. Looking at SRH, Pat Cummins’ availability is 50-50 for the IPL. So, I feel that this trade was compulsory to fill up that slot. Khaleel Ahmed, with the new ball, can bowl three overs in the powerplay. And Nathan Ellis is a brilliant death-overs bowler. He bowls in the middle overs and death overs as well. His back-of-the-hand slower ball is also very good. So, I feel that this trade was made considering all these factors,” Suman said in a video on his YouTube channel.
On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his surprise after the trade deal between CSK and SRH was finalised.
“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 on his YouTube Channel.
IPL 2027 auction will be held in Goa in mid-December.
