Anil Kumble believes that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) needed to pick an overseas spinner but instead, they made every effort to secure the services of a batting all-rounder. liam livingstone In the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
The former champion went into the auction with a budget of Rs 25.5 crore. He spent more than half of it on signing Livingstone, who had a very poor performance at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) last season.
Kumble feels that with foreign stars like Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen and Travis Head regularly featuring in the playing XI, it will be difficult for Livingstone to make a place in it. However, the former India captain backed the England cricketer to make a strong comeback after a disappointing performance in IPL 2025.
Kumble, speaking on JioStar's IPL auction review, said, “Spending ₹13 crore becomes an interesting decision when you already have a bowling captain in Pat Cummins, who bats lower down the order, along with Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen – three overseas slots that are almost certain. SRH also needed a spin option, and instead they went for another batsman.”
He said, “I think buying Liam Livingstone definitely makes sense in the T20 line-up, regardless of how he performed with RCB last season. He is the kind of player who can change the game in a few overs; that's the way he bats. Also, he is extremely flexible – he can open, bat at No. 3 or play in the middle order.”
Kumble said that the reason behind signing Livingstone was SRH's desire to oust the opposition from the contest.
“Clearly, SRH are backing themselves to take the game away from the opposition with their batting. They have done that in the past, so it seems to be in line with their approach,” Kumble said.
Apart from Livingstone, the other foreign player that SRH picked up in the auction was Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards. The 25-year-old player joined SRH for Rs 3 crore.
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