Sunrisers Hyderabad made a big move at the auction. They signed Liam Livingstone for ₹13 crore. The England all-rounder brings power and experience to their squad. This happened at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi.
The Auction Battle for Livingstone
Liam Livingstone didn’t get picked immediately when his name came up. He went unsold first. That’s when things got interesting at the auction table. Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the bidding war soon after. Lucknow Super Giants challenged them hard for his name.
The two teams kept raising their paddles. Everyone watched the numbers climb higher. Finally, SRH won the race at ₹13 crore. They really wanted this English star in their team. Livingstone’s reputation as a hard-hitter made him worth every penny.
Livingstone’s Recent Cricket Form
Let’s look at what Liam Livingstone did recently in cricket. His IPL 2025 season with RCB was quiet honestly. He scored just 112 runs in 8 innings. The strike rate stood at 133.33 then. He managed one fifty and grabbed 2 wickets from 9 overs bowled.
But here’s where it gets good. After IPL ended, his form exploded back. The Hundred tournament saw him shine brightly for Birmingham Phoenix. He led the team as captain there.
Livingstone topped the run charts with 241 runs. His strike rate jumped to 155.48 during that competition. Plus, he picked 7 wickets with a 7.36 economy rate.
The T20 Blast brought more success his way. He hammered 260 runs at a massive 176.87 strike rate. 6 wickets came from his bowling too. Lancashire reached the semifinals thanks to his contributions. That’s the Livingstone everyone knows and fears.
What This Means for IPL 2026
Sunrisers Hyderabad got themselves a genuine match-winner here. Liam Livingstone carries a career T20 strike rate of 145.06. Those numbers don’t lie about his hitting ability. He smashes bowlers all around the park regularly.
SRH needed someone who could change games quickly. Livingstone fits that role perfectly now. His all-round skills give them flexibility in team selection. Fans will love watching him bat in the middle order.
The ₹13 crore investment shows SRH’s confidence in him. They believe he’ll deliver big performances this season. Livingstone gets a fresh start with a new franchise. IPL 2026 could be his best season yet.
