Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim expressed surprise after Royal Challengers Bengaluru decided to release Swastik Chikhara before IPL 2026 auction. Chikara was bought for his base price of INR 30 lakh by RCB in IPL 2025 mega auction.

Chikara was surprisingly not even given a game in IPL 2025. Ahead of the last year’s auction, Chikara was the top run-getter in the UP T20 league with 499 runs and had also done a decent job in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Karim reckons RCB can also look to buy back Liam Livingstone if they have enough funds. Livingstone scored 122 runs in eight innings of IPL 2025 at an average of 16 and a strike rate of 133.33. The England International scalped two wickets in five innings of the previous season. RCB has a remaining purse value of INR 16.40 crore ahead of the auction.

“It’s such a splendid place to be in, isn’t it, defending champions finally. However, Liam Livingstone, can they buy him back if they have the purse, if he doesn’t go for that kind of value? I am also surprised not to see Swastik Chikara being retained because he was an excellent buy for them last season,” Saba Karim said on Star Sports.

“He had a prolific T20 tournament also while playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali. I was actually expecting him to get a game. He didn’t get a single game and then he has not been retained. So, in case they want to bulk up that kind of an area or that kind of a player, there are some Indian uncapped batters also in the wings,” he added.

On the other hand, former Indian captain Anil Kumble said it must have been a tough call to release Liam Livingstone as the England batter has the skills to turn the match on its head.

“It’s always a tough call. Liam Livingstone is again someone I worked with closely. I enjoyed working with him. He was extremely good with Punjab. That season was probably one of his best IPL seasons, and he can change the game single-handedly in a few overs,” he said.

The IPL 2026 auction is likely to be scheduled on December 15.