Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Liam Livingstone on Sunday (22nd May) said that he’s happy after proving his critics wrong. He also said that he’s still learning and is developing.
Livingstone was one of the players to watch out for in the league stage of IPL 15. The English player set the stage on fire with his brutal hitting with the bat and also chipped in at the crunch situations with the ball to provide his team with crucial breakthroughs.
Livingstone, who played for Rajasthan Royals (RR) last season, had dismal outings in the IPL 2021 and was even under the scanner before the tournament started. He, however, became the backbone of the PBKS this year and was one of the main architects behind their wins this season.
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The all-rounder scored 437 runs in the league at an average of 36.42 and a highly impressive strike rate of 182.08. He was no mug with the ball and exhibited his skills of bowling both leg-spin as well off-spin. He took 6 wickets as well.
In PBKS’ last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Mumbai, Livingstone scored an unbeaten 22-ball 49 and helped his side defeat the opposition by five wickets to finish 6th on the points table. The English player played a strike rate of 222.7, smashing 5 sixes and 2 fours to take his side home, while chasing 158 runs.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Liam Livingstone said that he hit the ball well throughout the tournament and today’s game was perfect for their side as they along with playing attacking cricket were smart as well.
He also talked about his matchups with Umran Malik and Washington Sundar, saying that he tried to play left-arm spinner well.
“It was nice. I felt like I was hitting the ball well throughout the tournament. The way we played today was perfect - attacking as well as being smart. It's been a long two and a half months, it would be good to be away.
“I am a big believer in matchups and I knew Umran and Washy were my matchups. Tried to play left-handers well. I don't think I have ever hit a left-arm spinner over extra covers,” Liam Livingstone said.
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Livingstone, who is still learning and developing, while talking about the game against SRH said that he felt nice to prove people wrong, who doubted his abilities in the IPL 2021.
“We needed just over a run a ball, so didn't need to go all guns blazing. Need to work out the game and decide how hard to go. It's nice to prove a few people wrong. Had a few comments after last year's IPL. I am still learning and developing,” he said.
Livingstone also talked about his bowling, saying that enjoys the challenge and would’ve liked to bowl more in the tournament.
“It's about gaining the experience and be a better player. Bowling does not come naturally to me. I enjoy the challenge and would have liked to bowl more in the tournament. But the way you want to play T20 is to affect each of the three aspects,” he said.
(India Today inputs)
