IPL: CSK and SRH in 4-player trade deal, swap Liam Livingstone and Khaleel Ahmed
Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad have pulled off a four-player trade ahead of IPL 2027, with England all-rounder Liam Livingstone and Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards switching to Chennai, while Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis move in the opposite direction.
The deal sees both franchises make changes to their squad combinations ahead of the next season, with CSK adding two all-rounders and SRH strengthening their pace-bowling options.
Livingstone is perhaps the biggest name involved in the trade. The England international joins CSK for Rs 6 crore, considerably lower than the Rs 13 crore at which SRH had originally acquired him. Known for his explosive batting, Livingstone also offers a useful spin option, having bowled both leg-spin and off-spin during his T20 career.
His arrival gives Chennai another power-hitting option in the middle order, an area where they could look to add more firepower. Livingstone has considerable experience in franchise cricket across the world, although his IPL returns have not always matched his reputation as a destructive batter.
Edwards, meanwhile, joins CSK at his existing fee of Rs 3 crore. The Australian seam-bowling all-rounder was signed by SRH before making his international debut but is yet to feature in the IPL. He missed the entire 2026 season after suffering a foot injury.
For SRH, the acquisition of Khaleel brings back a familiar face. The left-arm pacer previously represented the Hyderabad franchise between 2018 and 2021 before moving to Chennai.
Khaleel enjoyed a productive IPL 2025 campaign, taking 15 wickets in 14 matches for CSK. He featured in five matches in the 2026 season before a right quadriceps injury forced him out of the tournament. He joins SRH at his existing fee of Rs 4.8 crore.
Nathan Ellis is the other player heading to Hyderabad. The Australian fast bowler moves at his existing fee of Rs 2 crore and offers SRH an experienced option, particularly in the death overs. His variations and ability to execute different deliveries at the back end of an innings could add depth to their pace attack.
The trade gives CSK two additional all-rounders while SRH bring in two specialist fast-bowling options. With IPL 2027 still some distance away, both franchises will have further opportunities to reshape their squads, but this deal has already set the ball rolling in the build-up to the new season.- Ends
