Liam Livingstone’s Comments Reignite Debate Over IPL Team Owners’ Influence on Selection

The long-standing debate over whether IPL franchise owners influence team selection has resurfaced following comments made by former Sunrisers Hyderabad player Liam Livingstone. Speaking on a recent cricket podcast, the England all-rounder claimed that team owners' preferences can sometimes play a role in selection decisions. Livingstone, who represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, featured in only two matches and scored 1 and 14 runs respectively during the season.

Livingstone revealed that he questioned head coach Daniel Vettori about his exclusion from the playing XI despite the absence of captain Pat Cummins. According to the player, Vettori explained that the franchise had strong faith in another player and that the team's plans would remain unchanged even after Cummins returned. Livingstone said the response made him realize his opportunities would be limited. His remarks have reignited discussions about the extent of franchise owners' involvement in team selection. Sunrisers Hyderabad, co-owned by Kavya Maran, reached the IPL 2026 playoffs before being eliminated by Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.