The former India off-spinner expressed surprise at Chennai Super Kings' decision to exchange Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards.
On November 5, 2026, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad executed a significant squad adjustment ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. The exchange saw CSK part with fast bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis in return for England batter Liam Livingstone and Australian bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards. Livingstone's move to CSK came at a reduced valuation of ₹6 crore, substantially lower than the ₹13 crore SRH had invested in him during the IPL 2025 mini-auction.
Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the England all-rounder's ability to take on pace bowling could make him a valuable addition to the franchise, especially as CSK look to address their finishing concerns following Dhoni's uncertain future.
"At a reduced cost of 6 crores, CSK has taken a punt on Livingstone. He can smash, and CSK have been searching for a pace-hitting finisher as a replacement for Dhoni. He might turn a corner as a pace-hitter in Chepauk," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Why did Ashwin question Livingstone's fit at CSK?
MS Dhoni's uncertain status for IPL 2027 has influenced CSK's squad-building decisions. The franchise captain missed the entire 2026 campaign due to multiple injuries, leaving a significant void in the middle order and at the finish. Livingstone's acquisition directly addresses this gap, though his recent form with SRH raised questions about whether he could fulfil that demanding role at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Ashwin expressed surprise at the scale and direction of the trade, viewing it as a strategic miscalculation by CSK.
"This trade came out of the syllabus. I am surprised CSK made this move. This trade is a massive gain for SRH," Ashwin said.
"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," he added.
Khaleel had featured in five matches for CSK during the 2026 season before a right quadriceps injury curtailed his campaign. Ellis, the Australian pacer, moves to SRH as part of the exchange. Livingstone appeared in only two matches for SRH in 2026, accumulating 15 runs, while Edwards' role in CSK's immediate plans remains unclear.
What are CSK's possible plans beyond this trade?
Ashwin suggested CSK may be executing a broader strategic plan that extends beyond this single trade, potentially positioning themselves for the auction phase.
"But I feel CSK may be planning something internally that’s not evident on the outside. By releasing Prashant Veer and a few others, they could enter the auction with 25 to 30 crores. Maybe they are sensing a marquee player like Cameron Green entering the auction. I’ve also heard that CSK are looking hard for the left-arm spinner," he noted.
The trade provided CSK with considerable flexibility in their auction purse if they proceeded with additional squad changes. Ashwin's assessment suggested the franchise may have been positioning itself to pursue premium targets during the IPL 2027 auction process. The weeks ahead were expected to clarify whether CSK's strategy extended beyond the immediate trade into their broader squad-building approach for the new season.