"He did not even play in the 11" - S Badrinath slams CSK trade for IPL 2027
Former cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath slammed the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for their trade with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of IPL 2027.
Former cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath slammed the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for their trade with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of IPL 2027. The two franchises were involved in a four-player trade deal.
CSK let go of Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis in return for Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards from SRH. Badrinath questioned whether it was a good trade from Chennai's perspective, letting go of two key players for two others who did not even feature regularly in the playing XI.
He reckoned that it was a brilliant trade for SRH as it strengthened their bowling. While Chennai got in Livingstone as a finisher, Badrinath highlighted his poor record.
"Is it a good trade if you trade two players who play in 11 and two who don't play at all in 11? I'd say it's a super trade for SRH. The reason I'm saying this is because Khaleel Ahmed has done well in the powerplay. He's got a good left-arm advantage. Natarajan is already there as well. Jack Edwards is a bowling all-rounder. Liam Livingstone is a finisher, but his track record isn't that good. He did not even play in the 11 for SRH," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Livingstone played just two matches for SRH last season and scored only 15 runs, failing to cement his spot in the playing XI. Moreover, he has not been consistent in the IPL. He has been part of three different franchises in the last three seasons alone, failing to deliver as expected.
In 2024, he scored 111 runs from seven matches for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and made 112 runs from eight innings in 2025 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Badrinath on CSK's trade and bowling problems
CSK faced major concerns with their bowling last season. Badrinath acknowledged the fact that bowling has been a problem for them and was thus surprised that they let go of two quality fast bowlers.
He particularly added that letting go of an Indian pacer, that too a left-arm quick, may not have been the right choice.
"In fact, bowling has been a problem for CSK, and they let go of both bowlers. Particularly an Indian fast bowler. Indian fast bowler is very rare. That too, Khaleel is a left-armer, so it is rarer. Let's wait and see how this plays out. Only time will tell. For me, it's a super trade for SRH, for CSK, it is 50‑50," he said.
CSK's surprising trade amid their woes makes it all the more perplexing. They have failed to make the playoffs in the last three seasons since last winning the title in 2023.
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