Liam Livingstone

3 overseas all-rounders teams could re-sign at lower bids in IPL 2026 auction

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 21:50:59 GMT

The IPL 2026 auction is likely to showcase a competitive pool of overseas players, attracting attention from all ten franchises. With every franchise aiming to strengthen their squads, tough calls on player retention and releases are bound to happen. Many teams will need to adjust their budgets to chase their desired picks at the auction.

In IPL 2025, several overseas replacement players stepped up and delivered impactful performances. Their success might tempt teams to retain them at relatively low prices, creating room to manage finances more effectively. This could also lead to some well-established international names being let go ahead of the event.

Franchises will likely use this strategy to balance their squads while also ensuring they can target key players at the right price points. As a result, the 2026 auction promises a mix of big releases, surprising retentions, and intense bidding wars.

Three Overseas All-Rounders Worth Re-Signing at Lower Price:

With the IPL 2026 auction approaching, teams will carefully evaluate overseas options to balance budgets and strengthen lineups. Among them, several all-rounders stand out as valuable assets.

Despite being released, their skills make them strong contenders for a return at more affordable prices, giving franchises both flexibility and dependable match-winning abilities for the upcoming season.

Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis, who was bought by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for over ₹10 crore in IPL 2025, didn’t get consistent opportunities with either bat or ball. Despite looking in decent form, his batting chances were limited and his bowling was sparingly used.

As a pace-bowling all-rounder, Stoinis usually commands a heavy price tag in auctions. However, with several franchises unlikely to have large budgets for IPL 2026, he may not attract the same big bids. PBKS already boast dependable all-rounders in Azmatullah Omarzai and Mitchell Owen, giving them solid options to rely on in the squad.

Given his inconsistent bowling returns and underwhelming all-round contribution, Punjab might release Stoinis to free up funds. Still, they could target him again at a more affordable price during the auction.

Wanindu Hasaranga

Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured Wanindu Hasaranga for ₹5.25 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, but the spinner couldn’t deliver a standout season. He managed only 11 wickets in 11 games while conceding at 9.05 runs per over. RR expected him to spearhead their bowling attack, but he failed to live up to that responsibility.

Wanindu Hasaranga’s current market value seems to have dipped, as fitness concerns, inconsistent spells, and limited batting contributions have hurt his reputation. Despite being a talented leg-spinner, most franchises don’t appear too eager to invest heavily in him, as seen when SunRisers Hyderabad picked him up at his base price before the IPL 2025 mega-auction.

For Rajasthan Royals, the situation is tricky. While their spin resources are already limited, they also need to manage funds to strengthen other key areas of the team.RR might release Hasaranga before the IPL 2026 auction and aim to re-sign him at a reduced price, ensuring better squad balance while managing their overall budget effectively.

Liam Livingston

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted the IPL 2025 trophy through a strong team performance, but Liam Livingstone’s impact was minimal. Apart from a few small contributions, the English all-rounder struggled to find rhythm and eventually made way for Romario Shepherd in the lineup, reducing his role in the side’s successful campaign.

Currently drawing a hefty salary in double digits, Livingstone may not justify his price tag for RCB. Even though he has shown glimpses of form in The Hundred, releasing him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction could be a practical move. With Shepherd established and Bethell waiting, RCB could consider releasing Livingstone and re-signing him at a more budget-friendly price.

The Hundred Men 2025: TRT vs BPH Prediction– Match 31, Who will win today?

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:54:33 GMT

The Trent Rockets have qualified for the knockouts, but they are tied with two other teams with 20 points. A win here and the top spot in the points table would take them directly to the final of The Men’s Hundred Competition 2025..

On the other hand, Birmingham Phoenix have secured three victories and currently stand in the fifth position in the points table with 12 points. They won their last match by seven wickets against Manchester Originals.

TRT vs BPH Match Details

Date: 27th August, 2025

Time: 11:00 PM IST

Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Live Streaming: Fancode

TRT vs BPH Weather Report

Clear weather

Also Read: The Hundred Women 2025: TRT-W vs BPH-W Prediction– Match 31, Who will win today?

Top Batters TRT vs BPH

Liam Livingston (BPH) - 231 runs in this tournament
Tom Banton (TRT) - 227 runs in this tournament
Joe Clarke (BPH) - 223 runs this tournament

Top Bowler TRT vs BPH

Benny Howell (BPH) - 8 wickets in this tournament
Marcus Stoinis (TRT) - 8 wickets in this tournament
Rehan Ahmed (TRT) - 7 wickets in this tournament

TRT vs BPH Recent Performance

TRT	W	L	W	W	L
BPH	W	L	W	L	W

TRT vs BPH Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1- If TRT bats first

First Innings score prediction- TRT is expected to score 170-185 runs
Result prediction- TRT will win the match by 15-25 Runs

Scenario 2- If BPH bats first

First Innings score prediction- BPH is expected to score 150-160 runs.
Result prediction- TRT will win the match by 4 wickets

TRT vs BPH Predicted Playing XI

Trent Rockets (TRT) Playing XI

Max Holden, Joe Root, Tom Banton, David Willey (c), Marcus Stoinis, Tom Moores (wk), Rehan Ahmed, George Linde, Sam Hain, Sam James Cook, Ben Sanderson.

Birmingham Phoenix (BPH) Playing XI

Will Smeed, Ben Duckett, Joe Clarke (WK), Liam Livingstone (C), Jacob Bethell, Louis Kimber, Benny Howell, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Chris Wood.

TRT vs BPH Complete Squad

Trent Rockets -

Tom Moores(WK), Joe Root, Samuel Cook, Sam Hain, Tom Alsop(WK), Tom Banton(WK), Calvin Harrison, Marcus Stoinis, David Willey(C), George Linde, Rehan Ahmed, Max Holden, Adam Hose, Lockie Ferguson, Dillon Pennington, Ben Sanderson, Callum Parkinson, Akeal Hosein.

Birmingham Phoenix -

Liam Livingstone (captain), Ben Duckett, Trent Boult, Joe Clarke, Jacob Bethell, Adam Milne, Benny Howell, Tim Southee, Dan Mousley, Will Smeed, Chris Wood, Harry Moore, Tom Helm, Aneurin Donald, Liam Patterson-White, Louis Kimber.

TRT vs BPH Today Match Prediction, Who Will Win the Match?

Trent Rockets To win

We predict that Trent Rockets will win this Hundred Men's match. Tom Banton, Marcus Stoinis and Rehan Ahmed will be key players to watch out for.

The Hundred Men 2025: MNR vs BPH Prediction– Match 28, Who will win today?

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 10:11:13 GMT

This is a mid-table clash as Manchester are in sixth place currently, while Birmingham are one place above them. Both teams have eight points from six matches, and almost a similar net run rate as well.

With each side looking to turn things around, this could be a tense battle for much-needed points. Manchester Originals have won two of the three clashes at Emirates Old Trafford this season.

MNR vs BPH Match Details

Date: 24th August, 2025

Time: 10:30 PM IST

Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester

Live Streaming: Fancode

MNR vs BPH Weather Report

Clear weather

Also Read: The Hundred Women 2025: MNR-W vs BPH-W Prediction– Match 28, Who will win today?

Top Batters MNR vs BPH

Liam Livingston (BPH) - 227 runs in this tournament
Jos Buttler (MNR) - 208 runs in this tournament
Joe Clarke (BPH) - 183 runs this tournament

Top Bowler MNR vs BPH

Josh Tongue (MNR) - 10 wickets in this tournament
Sonny Baker (MNR) - 8 wickets in this tournament
Scott Currie (MNR) - 8 wickets in this tournament

MNR vs BPH Recent Performance

MNR	L	W	L	W	L
BPH	L	W	L	W	L

MNR vs BPH Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1- If MNR bats first

First Innings score prediction-MNR is expected to score 165-175 runs
Result prediction- MNR will win the match by 10-20 Runs

Scenario 2- If BPH bats first

First Innings score prediction- BPH is expected to score 140-150 runs.
Result prediction- MNR will win the match by 5 wickets

MNR vs BPH Predicted Playing XI

Manchester Originals (MNR) Playing XI

Phil Salt (C), Ben McKinney, Jos Buttler (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Heinrich Klaasen, Matty Hurst, Lewis Gregory, Scott Currie, Noor Ahmad, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker.

Birmingham Phoenix (BPH) Playing XI

Will Smeed, Ben Duckett, Joe Clarke (WK), Liam Livingstone (C), Jacob Bethell, Louis Kimber, Benny Howell, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Chris Wood.

MNR vs BPH Complete Squad

Manchester Originals -

Jos Buttler, Noor Ahmad, Phil Salt, Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand), Lewis Gregory, Ben McKinney, Heinrich Klaasen, George Garton, Matthew Hurst, Josh Tongue, Scott Currie, Tom Hartley, Sonny Baker, Tom Aspinwall, James Anderson, Marchant de Lange.

Birmingham Phoenix -

MNR vs BPH Today Match Prediction, Who Will Win the Match?

Manchester Originals To win

We predict that Manchester Originals will win this Hundred Men's match. Jos Buttler, Josh Tongue and Scott Currie will be key players to watch out for.

"‘Northern Superchargers Ne Birmingham Phoenix Ko Dhool Chata Di, Birmingham Phoenix Ka Vijay Rath Ruka’" – Fans go wild as Northern Superchargers win over Birmingham Phoenix

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 12:12:52 GMT

In the 14th match of The Hundred 2025, Northern Superchargers took on Birmingham Phoenix at Headingley, Leeds. Phoenix captain Liam Livingstone won the toss and chose to bowl, thinking the pitch would be better for batting later. David Miller came in for Graham Clark for the Superchargers, while Chris Wood replaced Dan Mousley for Phoenix.

Zak Crawley got the hosts off to a flying start with 45 runs from 23 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Dawid Malan followed with a classy 58 from 34 balls, including seven boundaries and a six. Captain Harry Brook finished strong with 31 off 14 balls, and Dan Lawrence chipped in with 15 runs, helping the team post a big total of 193/5 in their 100 balls.

Phoenix had a terrible start, losing three wickets in the first 16 balls. Ben Duckett’s poor form continued, but Livingstone and Jacob Bethell fought back with an 80-run partnership. Bethell hit 48 off 23 balls with three fours and three sixes, while Livingstone scored 46 off 31 with one four and four sixes. Once they got out, the chase lost momentum, and Northern Superchargers wrapped up a 36-run win to move to the top of the points table.

ALSO READ: Jitesh Sharma likely to include in Asia Cup 2025 squad: Report

Twitter reactions after NS wins 14th match of The Hundred 2025

A dominant all-round show from the Northern Superchargers as they cruise to a 36-run victory over Birmingham Phoenix. 🔥

Adil Rashid’s 2/26 earns him Player of the Match. 🙌🏼#TheHundred #Cricket #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/GePQjcafvZ
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 16, 2025

Table toppers 📈

Northern Superchargers claim the top spot with their win over Birmingham Phoenix 👊#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/sSkksYqqIb
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 15, 2025

Northern Superchargers move to the top of the table with a convincing win 📈

Scorecard 🔗 https://t.co/qmthgen8eA pic.twitter.com/tM0kTp90Jd
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 15, 2025

Adil Rashid spins Superchargers to the top of the table in The Hundredhttps://t.co/Qv3FyC6tC6

Adil Rashid starred with the ball as Northern Superchargers claimed the outright lead in the men's Hundred with a thrilling win over Birmingham Phoenix in front of a packed crowd at… pic.twitter.com/B5A5ibXNof
— Ariana News (@ArianaNews_) August 16, 2025

Northern Superchargers’ openers gave them a flying start, and Harry Brook carried that momentum to a powerful finish as they ended on a massive 193 💪

Scorecard 🔗 https://t.co/qmthgen8eA pic.twitter.com/UEDjkmfBUI
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 15, 2025

🔥 Spin Wizardry from Adil Rashid!

Northern Superchargers go top of the table after a dominant win over Birmingham Phoenix. 🏏

#TheHundred #AdilRashid #NSCvBP #TheHundred2025 #northernsuperchargers #BirminghamPhoenix #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/Y3rZs1s8Pd
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 16, 2025

🔥 Superchargers on Fire! 🔥

The Northern Superchargers win big against the Birmingham Phoenix by 36 runs!

A dominant batting performance and a clinical bowling display secured the victory at Headingley.

#TheHundred #NSCvBP #Cricket #TheHundred2025 #northernsuperchargers… pic.twitter.com/YL5irxfx5q
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 16, 2025

3 Teams that should target Liam Livingstone if RCB release him before IPL 2026

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 23:34:35 GMT

Liam Livingstone flared his true potential when he single-handedly took a match away from Oval Invincibles in the ongoing The Hundred tournament. Liam played a match-winning 69* off 27 and gifted Birmingham Phoenix their first win of the season. The fantastic knock came into the moment when a group of cricket fans had been discussing the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). Before the IPL 2026, a mini auction will be held. Ahead of that, there is a series of rumors related to multiple big names and their possible moves for the upcoming IPL season.

Liam Livingstone, who helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win their maiden IPL title, was not at his prime in IPL 2025. Cricket fans may not be surprised to see if RCB decides to leave Livingstone because of his repeated underperformances. He ended IPL 2025 at an average of only 16.00 in 10 matches. Stats are not always enough to show a player’s actual potential. So, for IPL 2026, there can be multiple interests for the England international.

3 teams that should pay for Liam Livingstone for the upcoming IPL:

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

The multi-time IPL-winning side has to do a lot of repair work after sustaining an unsuccessful season. The champions of IPL 2024 can think about cashing in for multiple new faces in the troop. Liam Livingstone can be a proper replacement for Andre Russell. Russell, who just retired from T20Is and is well past his prime, was looking like a burden for KKR in 2025. Like Russell, Livingstone is also known for his firing abilities from the lower middle order. He can be useful too with bowling. If the Knight management wishes to cash in for an overseas middle-order all-rounder, the Englishman can be the appropriate option.

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

It looked all settled for Punjab Kings to lift their first ever IPL trophy until the night of the grand finale came. The batting lineup could not sustain the pressure, and they finished their well-played campaign being the second best. Throughout the tournament, the top and middle order of PBKS looked solid, but their lower middle order was not up to the mark. Marcus Stoinis was simply not at his best. He had a great chance to be the hero for the franchise in the final match against RCB, but the all-rounder got only 6 runs. The 35-year-old scored 160 runs in 13 IPL 2025 matches without any fifty-plus innings. The matches he played after the conclusion of IPL 2025 were also far from promising. Liam Livingstone can be a proper fit in place of Marcus for Punjab Kings.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

After so many investments, LSG again finished their IPL campaign far away from the glittering trophy. Like many other franchises in the tournament, they too have to update their middle-order tactics with probably some new signings. For IPL 2025 they trusted experienced David Miller, who is now 36. LSG can prefer to go with someone who can contribute to a multi-year vision. Livingstone can be the batting all-rounder who can help the management to set a right playing combination according to matches.

WATCH: Star RCB batter smashes 26 runs off Rashid Khan's over in Men's The Hundred 2025

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 16:58:02 GMT

Liam Livingstone delivered a breathtaking performance for Birmingham Phoenix in their clash against Oval Invincibles in The Hundred on Tuesday. Playing at Edgbaston, the England all-rounder showcased his match-winning abilities in pursuit of a challenging 181-run target.

Livingstone’s innings was nothing short of sensational, smashing an unbeaten 69 runs from just 27 balls. His knock included seven boundaries and five towering sixes, maintaining a strike rate of over 225. His aggressive approach turned the momentum in Phoenix’s favour, keeping the chase alive even against a strong bowling attack.

One of the highlights of his innings came against star spinner Rashid Khan, whom he attacked fearlessly. Livingstone hammered 26 runs in only five balls off Rashid, dramatically turning the momentum of the match in his team’s favor.

With his explosive batting display, Birmingham Phoenix sealed the win with two balls remaining, pulling off a remarkable chase and underlining Livingstone’s status as one of the most dangerous finishers in the format.

Liam Livingstone’s Fearless Approach Towards Rashid Khan:

With 61 runs needed off 25 balls and six wickets remaining, Oval Invincibles turned to their key weapon, Rashid Khan. The Afghan leg-spinner, known for stifling chases with tight overs or crucial wickets, was expected to deliver. Instead, the outcome was drastically different, as the momentum swung sharply in Birmingham Phoenix’s favour.

Liam Livingstone unleashed a stunning assault on Rashid Khan, one of the top white-ball spinners in the game, smashing three sixes and two fours in a single over. The five-ball carnage produced 26 runs, making it the turning point of the match. Rashid conceded 59 runs in 20 balls, marking his most expensive spell in both The Hundred and his overall T20 career.

WATCH NOW! ⏯️

Liam Livingstone has just scored 26 runs off 5 Rashid Khan balls! 🤯#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/fstSjKPa13
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 12, 2025

The onslaught reduced the target to 35 runs from 20 balls, shifting momentum firmly towards Birmingham Phoenix. Despite losing two wickets at the start of the final over, the hosts stayed composed to secure a thrilling four-wicket victory. Livingstone’s explosive knock not only sealed the victory but also stood out as one of his finest match-winning performances.

Liam Livingstone After Winning the Match:

In an electrifying game at Edgbaston, Liam Livingstone played a captain’s knock of exceptional skill and match-winning impact. His explosive finish, combined with composure in crunch moments, proved crucial in guiding Birmingham Phoenix to their maiden win of the tournament. Speaking after the game, Livingstone reflected on the importance of his match-winning performance.

Livingstone said, “ We needed it, it's been a bit of a disappointing start to the tournament. It's nice to lead from the front and hopefully that gives the boys a bit of momentum and a bit of confidence. I was trying to be there at the end, it's something I haven't done a lot of in my career, so it was in the back of my mind, but we still needed to take some risks. It's an incredible win from where we were.”

Liam Livingstone earned the Meerkat Match Hero award for his brilliant match-winning knock, which not only propelled Birmingham Phoenix off the bottom of the table but also revived their hopes in this year’s tournament, giving their campaign a much-needed boost.

WATCH: Rashid Khan's viral snake shot against Birmingham Pheonix in ongoing The Hundred 2025

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:04:44 GMT

Birmingham Phoenix registered their first win of The Hundred 2025, but it was Oval Invincibles' Rashid Khan who grabbed the attention through his outrageous helicopter shot-like stroke to send a yorker deep into the stand.

The unorthodox shot from the Afghanistan international left the crowd and internet in amazement. Though the shot might look like MS Dhoni's helicopter shot, it was not exactly a similar one. Khan, who is a right-handed batsman, positioned himself right in front of the off stump. The ball landed right in front of his legs. The batter was in the exact line of the ball, swinging the blade with raw power to hoist the ball over the mid-wicket cordon to produce the huge over-boundary.

Apart from this shot, Rashid Khan would like to forget the night, as he conceded a staggering 59 runs without taking a wicket after 20 deliveries. It came as Rashid Khan's most underwhelming spell of his entire T20 career, which cost Oval Invincibles a defeat. The thrilling game between these two teams was influenced by the flamboyant innings of Liam Livingston. The England international scored an unbeaten 69 off 27 to edge past the target of 181 despite a late wobble. Batting first, Oval Invincibles scored 180 with the help of Ferreira's 63-run innings.

A night to forget for Rashid Khan

Oval had a good chance to outplay their opponent if they were able to reduce their strike rate. Against Rashid Khan, Livingston showed his muscle strength and shifted the momentum of the game. In his last five deliveries against the batter, Khan conceded 4, 6, 6, 6, and 4 in a brutal sequence.

Despite losing back-to-back wickets during the closing moments of the second innings, the assault from Livingston confirmed the first win of the season for Birmingham Phoenix.

Watch the incredible shot here

😱 WHAT THE! 😱

Rashid Khan has just played this shot for 6️⃣ runs 🤯#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/YHNuqDW89E
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 12, 2025

Five longest sixes in the history of cricket

Sat, 31 May 2025 15:29:30 GMT

Cricket has witnessed some of the craziest stats over the last so many years that have made the fans curious. Cricket has witnessed some cracking sixes and big sixes in cricketing history. In this piece, we discuss the five longest sixes that were hit in the history of cricket. It takes power, placement and timing to hit the ball out of the park, and this article covers the details of the longest sixes in terms of meters. We take a look at these sixes in detail:

1.Shahid Afridi (Pakistan vs South Africa-2013- 153 Meters)

'Boom Boom Afridi' as he was fondly called during his playing days, hit some powerful sixes that were mind-boggling. The former Pakistani all-rounder hit 476 sixes in his International career, but this particular six that he hit was the longest. In an ODI match against South Africa in Johannesburg, Afridi hit a six that travelled 153 meters. Ryan Maclaren was the bowler. The pacer got rid of Afridi in the previous ball, but it was a no-ball, and the charismatic batter took full advantage of the free hit.

2.Brett Lee (Australia vs West Indies- 2005- 143 Meters)

Brett Lee was a nightmare for the bowlers with his speed, pace and swing, but in this particular game against the West Indies at Brisbane's Gabba stadium, the former Australian pacer showcased his poaching abilities with the bat, smashing a big six that travelled 143 meters. Brett Lee was a handy batter lower down the order, and this particular hit highlighted his abilities as a pinch hitter.

3.Martin Guptill (New Zealand vs South Africa- 2012- 127 Meters)

The former New Zealand opener was amongst the most aggressive white ball openers in New Zealand cricket. New Zealand were chasing 148 in a T20I game against South Africa at Wellington's Westpac Stadium. The right-hander scored 70 in 55 balls, helping the Kiwis chase the target by 6 wickets. He smashed left-arm pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe for a huge six over mid mid-wicket area that travelled 127 meters. The six was well timed and effortlessly hit.

4.Liam Livinstone (England vs Pakistan - 2021- 122 Meters)

Undoubtedly amongst the most powerful strikers in modern-day cricket, Livingstone has cracked some big sixes in whit ball cricket. The 31-year-old hit a huge six against Pakistan in 2021 in the first T20I while playing at Trent Bridge. He scored 103 in 43 balls. Although England lost the game while chasing a target of 232, Livinstone's innings was a silver lining for the Three Lions. He hit a six that travelled 122 meters while facing pacer Haris Rauf, thus becoing the only English batter to hit the longest six..

5.Yuvraj Singh (India vs Australia- 2007- 119 Meters)

The inaugural 2007 ICC T20I World Cup in South Africa would be remembered as Yuvraj Singh's World Cup, as he had smashed the former England pacer for six back-to-back sixes in an over. In the semifinal against Australia, while facing Brett Lee, the two-time World Cup winner flicked a six over square leg while facing Brett Lee. His knock of 70 in 30 balls helped India make it to the final and eventually win the T20 World Cup.

Top 5 high-profile cricketers who couldn't live up to hype in IPL 2025

Tue, 27 May 2025 14:49:34 GMT

The cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) is never short of talent. Right from its inception in 2008, all the way to the current 2025 season, the high-octane league has seen the birth of ground-breaking cricketing talent. Whilst there may be no shortage of talent, there are a few unfortunate souls who, despite their prolific stature and hefty price tags, fail to live up to the standards.

In this season alone, we have seen a few flop performances from some of the very best in the business. In this article, we showcase the top five high-profile cricketers who failed to live up to expectations in IPL 2025.

Rishabh Pant (₹27 crore, Lucknow Super Giants)

Perhaps the most shocking disappointment of all was to see Rishab Pant from LSG falter big time this season. Last year, he was acquired by LSG for a whopping ₹27 crore, making him the most expensive purchase in the history of IPL. Many of his fans, including Sanjeeev Goenka, founder of LSG, had high hopes from him. But contrary to their assumptions, Pant failed to deliver big. As the most expensive player in IPL history, Pant's performance was underwhelming. Pant could only manage 106 runs in seven innings, with an awful average of 15.14 and a strike rate below 100, significantly below expectations.

Venkatesh Iyer (₹23.75 crore, Kolkata Knight Riders)

Just like Pant, Venkatesh Iyer from KKR also etched his name in the record books by becoming the second-most expensive player in the IPL mega-auction last year. But as fate would have it, Iyer succumbed to the burden of his heavy price tag. In six innings, Iyer managed only 135 runs with a solitary fifty. His highest score was 52* in the 2024 final, but this season, his performances have been inconsistent and disappointing. His score of 7 against DC on April 29th marked his fourth single-digit score, whereas against GT in a must-win fixture, Iyer could only score 14 (19), failing to hit a boundary and struggling to rotate the strike. His inconsistency and lack of impact were major disappointments for KKR this season as the tall all-rounder struggled to justify his hefty price tag.

Mohammed Shami (₹10 crore, Sunrisers Hyderabad)

The ace Indian speedster's performance has been another source of disappointment for the fans. Being acquired by SRH for a staggering ₹10 crore, Mohammed Shami's performance in IPL 2025 has significantly fallen short of expectations, causing concern among both fans and experts. As a member of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Shami's difficulties have been apparent throughout the season. Across nine matches, Shami could only muster six wickets under his tally, with an alarming economy rate of 11.23. His figures include a particularly dismal performance against Punjab Kings, where he conceded 75 runs in four overs—the most expensive bowling spell by an Indian in IPL history. Subsequently, he also went on to claim an unwanted record of having the second-highest bowling figures in IPL history.

Liam Livingstone (₹8.75 crore, Royal Challengers Bangalore)

England's Liam Livingstone serves as yet another example of how expensive buys can lead franchises to inevitable catastrophes. Although RCB has stormed into the playoffs in blazing fashion, Livingstone's paltry contribution both with the bat and the ball has caught the ire of many fans and cricketing pundits alike. Livingstone has managed only 87 runs in seven matches, averaging 17.40 with a strike rate of 127.94. His sole highlight was a half-century against the Gujarat Titans, but he failed to cross the 20-run mark in subsequent innings. Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary cited Livingstone's poor shot selection and lack of game awareness as the key reasons for his poor show this season. He noted that Livingstone has faced more than 10 deliveries in an innings only once this season, highlighting his inability to build and anchor the innings progressively.

Glenn Maxwell (₹4.2 crore, Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Maxwell has been a serious contender across several IPL seasons in the past decade. But his performance in the ongoing IPL edition has been nothing short of disappointing. He has clearly had a season to forget, with only 48 runs in seven innings and four wickets at an economy rate of 8.46. His inability to contribute significantly with both bat and ball was a concern for RCB. Batting has surfaced as the primary source of concern for the Australian southpaw. He started his journey poorly this season by registering a golden duck against GT in the tournament opener, marking his 19th duck in the cash-rich league. And to further compound his woes, Maxwell suffered a fractured finger during training in early May, ruling him out for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season. This injury has ended a season that many had hoped would mark a resurgence for the 36-year-old all-rounder.

Top 5 fastest fifty in ODI history

Fri, 23 May 2025 20:12:04 GMT

In the dynamic world of One Day Internationals (ODIs), speed is crucial when it comes to runs. The fastest fifties are among the most exciting achievements in the game. Reaching a fifty in record time is incredibly demoralizing for the opposition, and enthusiasm is contagious when the batting side is showing speed. Scoring the ball in national conditions requires courage and intent, impeccable timing, and, of course, complete confidence.

Throughout the years, there have been many players, and a select few have achieved incredible striking speeds, managing to grab a place in the history books by completing half-centuries in no time. These players certainly bring a new level of scratch to the way we play ODIs in the modern era. Here are the top six fastest fifties in ODI history; each time the batsman surprised the cricketing world with their powerful hitting.

AB de Villiers – 16 Balls vs West Indies, 2015

South African batter AB de Villiers is also the holder of the record for the fastest ODI fifty, scored in just 16 balls. What made this resulting innings so iconic was the fact it came against the West Indies in Johannesburg and the relentless pace of his innings. In some few short minutes he plundered 8 sixes and 4 fours, taking on the West Indies bowlers erratically.

De Villiers' pyrotechnics, along with trembling heart rates, made for a performance that we will remember for years to come. He managed to score 149 off 44 balls, with 31 of those balls being the fastest ODI hundred. It is not an understatement to say this is considered one of the greatest ever exhibitions of batting within the ODI format.

Matthew Forde—16 Balls vs Ireland, 2025

On May 23, 2025, West Indies all-rounder Matthew Forde shocked the cricketing world with a stunning 16-ball fifty against Ireland at Castle Avenue, Dublin. Coming in at number eight, Forde went on a rampage, scoring 58 off just 19 balls, which included two fours and eight sixes, all the while equaling AB de Villiers' record for the fastest ODI fifty. His late strike pushed West Indies to 352/8. Forde's explosive batting changed the game and showed his ability to transform it in a matter of minutes. This knock was his entry on the global stage, and he arrived in style.

Sanath Jayasuriya—17 Balls vs Pakistan, 1996

You would have to go as far back as Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya to observe batting of that nature in quite possibly ODI cricket history. Jayasuriya was known for swinging hard and hitting for distance. During this innings against Pakistan, we saw 17 balls hammered for 5 fours and 3 sixes in Singapore. By any measure, the degree of aggressive batting in the early overs was unheard of in 1996, which is why Jayasuriya is known as a pioneer of this style of batting.

His power and sentiment helped dictate the future successful batting performances of Sri Lanka throughout the mid-90s era. Jayasuriya's innings and attitude at the top of this batting also helped shape the way ODIs were played in the future and changed batting. His style of aggressive batting has shaped how younger generations have also played.

Also Read: IRE vs WI: West Indies’ Matthew Forde smashes joint-fastest fifty in ODI history

Kusal Perera – 17 Balls vs Bangladesh, 2014

Kusal Perera, another dynamic left-handed Sri Lankan batsman, achieved a record of his own by equalling Jayasuriya's feat of also scoring a fifty in 17 balls vs. Bangladesh. Opening the innings, Kusal operated from his first ball and put pressure on the bowlers. Kusal struck 9 fours and 1 six in explosive innings. This inning further confirmed his dominance early in the innings and set up the Sri Lankans in what was a big win that day.

He has often received comparisons in the past two due to each of their fearless approaches to the game. Kusal has also continued his dominance early in the innings for Sri Lankan cricket, where he continues to be a big player for the limited-overs format.

Liam Livingstone—17 Balls v Netherlands, 2022

England's Liam Livingstone joined this elite group by scoring a fifty in 17 balls against the Netherlands in 2022, hitting the ball with power and confidence all around the wicket, indulging in all forms of explosive power-hitting. Livingstone's innings included 6 sixes to show an incredible amount of strength and timing, as the wickets made no difference.

His innings allowed England to reach a world record ODI score of 498 runs. Unsurprisingly, Livingstone is known for his fearless approach to the game and personifies the more dynamic and aggressive format that England has moved towards in recent years. I thought his fast fifty was a great example of the aggressive attitude modern-day cricket demands.