- August 15, 2025
After a spectacular display leading Birmingham Phoenix to victory in The Hundred 2025, the England all-rounder made sure everyone was again reminded why he is one of the most dangerous finishers in white-ball cricket. But the story has a twist; his IPL 2025 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could hardly be described as memorable. 112 runs in eight innings and just two wickets mean the franchise might consider his place ahead of IPL 2026. Which leads us to the most interesting question: should RCB release him, and which teams should be in the best position to snap him up? We’ll walk through it.
Delhi Capitals: Plugging the Middle-Order Mystery
Delhi Capitals experienced an up-and-down 2025 campaign. They took to the field like a runaway train, winning five of their opening six matches before tapering off at the end of their campaign to finish fifth, therefore not qualifying for the playoffs. A major reason? The middle order never really found a consistent rhythm. Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, and Abishek Porel all showed fleeting moments of greatness but lacked the sparkle to close out games.
Enter Liam Livingstone. A batter capable of turning a match in a heartbeat, he’s exactly what DC’s middle order craves. His ability to play explosive cameos under pressure could relieve KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs from the burden of always anchoring the innings. On top of that, Livingstone’s handy overs of spin and electric fielding make him the kind of all-rounder every team dreams about.
Chennai Super Kings: Why CSK Needs a Game-Changer This IPL
For the first time in its proud history, CSK was at the bottom of the table below the rest of the pack, mostly because of rebounding from the year-long tournament. The injury under Ruturaj Gaikwad had shortened CSK’s idea of a start, especially with Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and even Sam Curran, offensively all struggling with performance consistency. All in all, with the new season here, CSK’s batters had no continuity in their batting, and they were left with lingering finishes and wondering if they had gotten soft as five-time champions.
With over 1,000 IPL runs at a strike rate close to 159, he offers flexibility, whether it’s stabilizing an innings or finishing with a flurry of sixes. His experience batting in different positions makes him a perfect fit for a team in transition. Simply put, Livingstone’s kind of versatility could be the spark that rekindles CSK’s winning flame.
Rajasthan Royals: Solving the Finishing Puzzle
RR shook up the auction with big decisions, yet their season ended in disappointment at ninth place. The top order did their job, but the finishers simply could not get them over the line. Shimron Hetmyer had an unimpressive 239 runs in 13 innings (21.72 average), and Shubham Dubey and Wanindu Hasaranga were rarely dependable, leaving RR at a disadvantage in tight moments.
Bringing back Livingstone could solve this puzzle. Known for his ability to swing games with late-innings fireworks and chip in with occasional bowling, he’s precisely the type of all-rounder RR lacked. His previous experience with the franchise adds the bonus of familiarity with conditions and team culture. If RR aims to bounce back in IPL 2026, Livingstone could be the difference between mediocrity and serious contention.
FAQs:
- Why does Delhi Capitals need Livingstone?
He can strengthen their inconsistent middle order and provide match-winning firepower.
- How could Livingstone help Chennai Super Kings?
He adds explosive batting and versatility to a team that finished last in IPL 2025.
- Why would Rajasthan Royals target Livingstone?
He can fix their finishing woes and contribute with both bat and ball.
