Former India captain Anil Kumble believes that Liam Livingstone’s excessive value was possible an element within the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s determination to launch him into the IPL 2026 public sale pool.
Livingstone performed for RCB of their title-winning IPL 2025 season after being purchased for Rs. 8.75 crore finally yr’s mega public sale. Nevertheless, he had an underwhelming time – scoring 112 runs in eight innings with a strike price of 133.33, together with one half-century, and taking two wickets in 9 overs with an economic system price of 8.44.
It might be attention-grabbing to see if RCB or some other group ropes him in for the IPL 2026 public sale, to be held in Abu Dhabi, on December 16. “Releases are all the time robust calls. Liam Livingstone is somebody I loved working with intently, and he was extraordinarily good for Punjab in IPL 2022, in all probability his finest IPL season. He can change the sport single-handedly in just some overs together with his highly effective batting.”
“What makes him particular is his bowling flexibility; he bowls leg spin to right-handers and off spin to left-handers, plus he is a very good fielder, making him a whole bundle. Sadly, he did not have an excellent IPL season for RCB final yr and likewise missed out on choice for England.”
“In any other case, I am certain different franchises can be concerned about him. His excessive price ticket was possible an element within the launch. RCB additionally wants to seek out backup choices, each an abroad quick bowler and an Indian quick bowler to assist their fundamental bowling assault of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. This want for bowling depth is likely to be another excuse behind this robust name,” mentioned Kumble, a former RCB skipper, on JioStar.
Saba Karim, former India wicketkeeper-batter and nationwide selector, questioned RCB’s determination to launch younger batsman Swastik Chikara. “It is a splendid place for RCB to be lastly being known as because the defending champions. Speaking about their public sale plans, they’ll nonetheless purchase again Liam Livingstone within the mini-auction if he would not go for too excessive a value.”
“I am additionally stunned they did not retain Swastik Chikara, who was a wonderful purchase final season after his prolific performances within the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I used to be truly anticipating him to get a sport, however he did not play a single match and now, hasn’t been retained. If RCB desires to strengthen their batting lineup, there are a number of Indian uncapped batsmen they’ll goal within the public sale to construct their squad depth for the upcoming season,” he added.