'A decent IPL can push my case for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad' - Liam Livingstone

The IPL 2021 auctions saw Rajasthan Royals acquiring the services of England’s right-handed batsman Liam Livingstone for INR 75 lakhs. Liam didn’t find a place in Rajasthan’s Playing XI in their first game against Punjab Kings, however, the batsman is hoping to play for the franchise in the upcoming matches.

Advertisment

Livingstone can make it to the Playing XI of the franchise for their game against the Delhi Capitals on Thursday as RR will be missing the services of their ace all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has been ruled out of IPL 2021 after suffering a hand injury.

Speaking about his participation in the T20 Extravaganza, the 27-year-old, reckoned that he made the choice of playing in IPL over England’s domestic tournament as he hopes to make a case for himself for a spot in England’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Liam believes that if he can deliver good performance in IPL, he can force the ECB selectors to consider him for selection.

“Yes absolutely. I had a decision to make, whether to go to the IPL auction or try and play some four-day cricket back home. Last year, I made a decision to play four-day cricket. This year, I thought if I can get an opportunity to play in the IPL and do well, that pushes my case a little bit further to try and push my way into that World Cup squad. We have obviously got the World Cup in October. It’s a big-time for T20 cricket in England," Liam told Sky Sports Cricket

Advertisment

When asked to pick the best player he has played against, Liam chose Virat Kohli as he believes that it is difficult to look past the Indian skipper.

“There aren’t many better cricketers in the world at the moment than Virat (Kohli). He obviously had another good series (against England). His white-ball numbers are second to none. Having played against him recently and a couple of times in the IPL before, I don’t reckon there are much better than him at the moment,” Liam Livingstone observed.