England All-rounder Liam Livingstone became the most expensive overseas buy in the IPL 2022 auction, on Sunday. KKR, CSK, PBKS, SRH and Gujarat Titans – were all fighting to get Livingstone in their team. In the end, Punjab Kings signed him for a staggering amount of INR 11.50 crore.
Former India Player Irfan Pathan believes Liam Livingstone is a great signing for the Punjab franchise and stated that the Englishman will do well for the team. “I think he deserves it. A lot of people might not agree with that, but I predicted that nearly two months ago because of the kind of skill set he has got. He’s a batter, he’s got fast hands, amazing wrists.”, Pathan said on Star Sports.
Pathan highlighted that Livingstone also has the ability to bowl both leg-spin and off-spin. He has the potential to be the X-factor for the Punjab Kings if he is carefully managed. “Most importantly, he can actually bowl leg-spin if a right-hand batter comes and he can bowl off-spin when a left-hand batter comes. If you’re smart and can manage him, he will be very good. So, a perfect buy.”, Pathan added.
Sanjay Manjrekar, on the other hand, termed the decision to buy Livingstone as a “gamble,” given the amount he was paid and his lacklustre IPL record.
“I still maintain that Liam Livingstone is a gamble, considering his previous IPL experience. I was very gung-ho about Liam Livingstone after seeing him play for England against India. I thought he is some guy who will do good in the IPL, he is good against spin and a good bowler as well. But then he had around 6-7 failures for Rajasthan Royals. He was dropped and then brought back. But he just couldn’t get back to form.”, Manjrekar said on Star Sports.
Here is how twitter reacted to Livingstone bagging 11.50 crore offer:
Liam Livingstone becomes the highest-paid Englishman of the IPL 2022 auction after a five-way bidding war
CSK, KKR, Gujarat, Punjab and SRH all in for him. Ends up at Punjab for Rs 11.5 crore (£1.125m)
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) February 13, 2022
This bid for Liam Livingstone isn't for a pure batsman. #PunjabKings will want 2-3 overs from him
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 13, 2022
Liam Livingstone’s previous IPL deal was £75k. Bought today for £1.12m. A decent pay-rise, that
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) February 13, 2022
Liam Livingstone is a 👑
💰 11.50 CR#IPLAuction #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #TATAIPLAuction
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 13, 2022
Wow! Liam Livingstone bought by Punjab Kings for £1.12m on the 2nd day of @IPL auction.
— Richard Gibson (@richardgibsonDM) February 13, 2022
Us to all the other teams bidding against us for Liam Livingstone… 😝#TATAIPLAuction #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/wh4MgTpuF7
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 13, 2022
Liam Livingstone could well be the missing riddle in the jigsaw puzzle for Punjab @PunjabKingsIPL #IPLMegaAuction
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 13, 2022
Excellent pick by Punjab Kings to get Liam Livingstone for 11.5cr. PBKS foreign players: Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper and possible No.4), Liam Livingstone (middle order batter and spinner) and Kagiso Rabada (bankable pacer) #IPLAuction2022
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 13, 2022
Apart from Livingstone, Punjab Kings have also bought West Indies all-rounder Odean Smith for Rs 6 crore. Shikhar Dhawan (8.25 crores), Jonny Bairstow (6.75 crores), and Kagiso Rabada (9.25 crores) have also been signed by Punjab.
