IPL 2021: Three potential replacements for Liam Livingstone in Rajasthan Royals’ squad


IPL 2021: Three potential replacements for Liam Livingstone in Rajasthan Royals’ squad

Liam Livingstone

The Rajasthan Royals have suffered yet another setback, as England all-rounder, Liam Livingstone has returned home due to bubble fatigue. He is the Royals’ third Englishman to miss the IPL 2021 season. Because of injuries, they are already without the services of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer and this has now become another addition to that tally.

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When it comes to Liam, he has spent the last ten months hopping in and out of bio-secure zones. And, since the IPL is held in India, the BCCI has imposed tight parameters when it comes to the players’ safety. The bubble culture has made it more complex for the players during a pandemic.

While Liam Livingstone’s departure would have no impact on RR’s current starting lineup, it will enable them to bring in a capable overseas replacement. Let’s take a look at the three possible replacements Rajasthan Royals could look to replace Liam Livingstone.

Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne, an Australian all-rounder who has risen to prominence as a result of his recent performances for Australia as well as in the domestic circuit, could be an excellent replacement for Liam Livingstone. He is a reliable and consistent middle-order batsman who is currently in excellent form. He scored 192 runs for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final against New South Wales recently. He scored 176 runs in ten games and took 10 wickets in the BBL 2020-21 season.

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The player has the potential to resolve Rajasthan’s middle-order woes and provide the team with much-needed balance.

Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch, the Australian limited-overs captain, could be another choice to replace Liam Livingstone. He is an explosive and experienced opener who can assist Jos Buttler at the top of the order. Finch has scored 2346 runs in 71 T20Is, including two centuries. He recently became the first Australian and sixth player overall in T20I history to hit 100 sixes.

He is coming off a decent T20I season for Australia in 2021, in which he scored 197 runs in just five matches. He scored the second-most runs in the T20I series between Australia and New Zealand.

Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid
Adil Rashid

England’s Adil Rashid is an experienced and versatile leg spinner. He’s taken 55 wickets in 54 T20I innings, with an economy of just 7.55. In limited-overs cricket, he has become England’s go-to bowler. While he was not selected in the IPL auction, Rajasthan Royals can now sign him to replace Liam Livingstone.

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He has demonstrated numerous times that he can pick up wickets in the middle overs and that he has improved his skills to be effective in the powerplay as well. Adil Rashid’s flexibility and ability may be just what the Rajasthan Royals need right now to set the right balance in the team.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Daniel Vettori questions the ability of Shivam Dube as an all-rounder