Former Indian opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has questioned CSK’s pursuit of Liam Livingstone, arguing they have spent the off-season buying a player his recent franchises have stopped trusting as well. CSK and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) completed a four-player swap on November 5, in which Livingstone and Australian seam-bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards move to Chennai, while left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis head to Hyderabad. However, Livingstone joined at ₹6 crore, less than half of the ₹13 crore SRH paid at the IPL 2026 auction as well.
Talking about this on his Instagram handle, Ramesh said: “Livingstone’s form over the last three IPL seasons has been steadily dropping. RCB won their first title in 2025, and he played 10 matches. Yet, even a team that won its maiden title instantly released him. RCB’s message was that even in their biggest triumph, Livingstone played no role. In SRH, he barely played because Pat Cummins preferred Malinga over him, which was a great decision. And CSK is buying a player that other teams haven’t trusted.”
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“The pattern to be observed is that, over the last three seasons, the respective franchises trusted Livingstone less and less. That’s why each franchise is readily giving him away. His X-factor is his batting and that has been struggling in the last three seasons. It’s like an already struggling side has gone for a player who is himself struggling. SRH fans are celebrating Livingstone’s departure and the arrival of the two CSK players. The only hope is Dhoni’s influence transforming Livingstone,” he further added.
Sadagoppan Ramesh also questioned CSK for letting go of two excellent pace-bowling options, Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis. Khaleel took 15 wickets in 14 matches in 2025, then managed two at 8.67 in five games in 2026 before a right quadriceps injury ended his year as well.
“Khaleel has gone at an economy of only nine over the last two IPL seasons. That’s an excellent economy on the flat IPL tracks. So he has delivered a decent performance. Though Ellis didn’t play last season due to injury, by releasing him and Khaleel, CSK gave away two bowlers capable of bowling at the death,” concluded Sadagoppan Ramesh.
