In the opening week of the 16th season of the Indian Premier League, England batsman Liam Livingstone has been conspicuously absent. This upcoming IPL season will be Livingstone’s fourth overall and his second with the Punjab Kings.
Last year, Livingstone made the move from Rajasthan Royals, where he had played in 2019 and ’21, to Punjab. The 29-year-old batsman made up for two disappointing campaigns by finishing second on the team in runs scored behind Shikhar Dhawan with 437 in 14 innings at an average of 36.41 and a strike rate of 182.08. (460).
After missing Saturday’s season opener against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Mohali, Livingstone will again be unavailable for tonight’s match against Rajasthan in Guwahati. In Livingstone’s place, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza made his IPL debut. However, once the Englishman arrives in India, he should be able to restore his middle-order berth.
Exactly what is keeping Liam Livingstone out of the IPL 2023?
Livingstone, unlike his English and PBKS teammate, Jonny Bairstow has not been forced to sit out the rest of the IPL 2023. It’s simply that the England Cricket Board (ECB) hasn’t given him the all-clear to play again after four months of rest.
Last year, Livingstone made his Test debut in Pakistan, and in the same match, he injured his knee. Livingstone will “soon” be making his return to the greatest T20 event in the globe after missing out on action since then.
Because of his ankle injury a few months before his knee injury, the ECB may be a little more cautious with their crucial white-ball all-rounder. Livingstone is eagerly anticipated by both his teammates and supporters after making a strong influence in the Punjab dressing room and contributing with the bat previous season.
Liam Livingstone IPL Record
Over the course of 23 innings in the IPL, Livingstone has amassed 549 runs (at an average of 27.45) with a strike rate of 166.87 (with four 50s). He should see even more success if the IPL has another outstanding season.
