The roar of the crowd echoes across the stadium as the Punjab Kings prepare to face Gujarat Titans, the defending IPL champions, in Mohali. The buzz surrounding the Kings is palpable, with the return of Liam Livingstone, one of their star players. The all-rounder with a sky-high reputation in the shortest format of the game has received a fitness clearance from the England and Wales Cricket Board. His arrival on the field is eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike.
In last year’s IPL, Livingstone proved himself a force to be reckoned with, dominating several matches and cementing his place as Punjab Kings’ Most Valuable Player. His absence has been sorely felt by the team, with Shikhar Dhawan, the captain, often left to fight a lone battle with the bat. But with Livingstone available for the Gujarat game, the Kings’ prospects look brighter than ever.
Livingstone’s reputation as one of the finest hitters of the game precedes him, and his return is a massive boost for the team. However, his journey to this point has not been without challenges. He returns to the field after a lengthy layoff due to a knee injury sustained on his Test debut in Pakistan four months ago. He had also suffered an ankle injury in 2022 that flared up in recent weeks, making his rehabilitation trickier. But Livingstone’s resilience and determination have seen him through, and he is now ready to take on the world’s best in the IPL.
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What makes Livingstone a nightmare for bowlers is his devastating versatility and power with the bat. Who can forget that 117-metre six off Mohammed Shami in IPL 2022? The Englishman hammered 437 runs at a staggering strike-rate of 182.08 and an average of 36.41. His 34 sixes in the last edition of the IPL were the most by a Punjab Kings batter and second-best overall. He contributed four half-centuries.
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— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 13, 2023
But Livingstone is not just a one-dimensional player. He is also a handy customer with the ball, with a range of variations up his sleeve. His six wickets as a part-time bowling option in IPL 2022 came at an economy rate of 8.7, and showcased his partnership-breaking ability.
Since 2021, Livingstone has the 10th best strike-rate (154.17) among all players, across all T20 tournaments, and has hammered 1,164 runs – 20th on the list. This highlights the ever-growing stature of the England international. Of the 16 players that scored more than 400 runs in IPL 2022, Livingstone was the only player to score at a strike-rate of 180-plus.
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Livingstone is a beast against pacers, averaging 37.25 with a mind-boggling strike-rate of 214.39. While he hasn’t been as ruthless against spin, he still averages 34.75 at a healthy strike-rate of 137.62. His versatility and skill make him a valuable asset to any team, and the Kings are fortunate to have him back in their ranks.