Owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Kavya Maran Once again emerged as one of the most talked about personalities ipl auctionHis emotional and animated reactions lit up the bidding room when SRH secured the England all-rounder liam livingstone For ₹13 crore.
The dramatic moment unfolded after Hyderabad thrashed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), sparking celebrations that quickly took over social media timelines.
The cameras repeatedly focused on Maran during the bidding, capturing his smile, hand gestures and obvious relief as SRH came out ahead in one of the most thrilling battles of the auction.
Liam Livingstone’s auction journey: from unsold property to lucrative property
Livingstone’s path to the auction was straightforward. The explosive England international surprisingly went unsold early on, raising eyebrows from fans and experts. However, his return in the quick auction stage changed the story completely.
What followed was a fierce bidding competition between Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, Gujarat Titans and ultimately Lucknow Super Giants. As prices rose rapidly, franchises started pulling out, leaving SRH and LSG locked in a head-to-head battle.
Lucknow stretched their resources to the limit and pushed the bid to ₹12.80 crore before their remaining purse was exhausted. This opened the door for SRH to make the final move, sealing Livingstone’s services for ₹13 crore.
Kavya Maran makes headlines at IPL 2026 auction
Throughout the bidding war, the broadcast repeatedly cut to Kavya Maran, whose reactions told the story of SRH’s determination. From nervous anticipation to uncontrolled joy, their expressions resonated strongly with fans.
Clips of SRH owner celebrating quickly went viral, with fans posting captions like “Finally Kavya got her man”, “Never seen Kavya Maran so happy” and ,Kavya Maran’s mood changed during Liam Livingstone’s speech.”
Kavya Maran’s mood changes during Liam Livingstone’s speech #IPL2026Auction pic.twitter.com/jeJlTnYp0h
– Kumar Saurav (@AdamDhoni1) 17 December 2025
The emotional reaction struck a chord, especially because SRH had earlier failed to land Livingstone during the IPL 2022 mega auction, a moment which supporters fondly remembered.
For many fans, the successful bid felt like a long-awaited liberation.
Why was Liam Livingstone SRH’s top target?
SRH’s think-tank took a look behind the scenes liam livingstone As a perfect fit for their team structure. The England star provides explosive middle-order power, capable of changing a game in just a few overs – something that Hyderabad lacked during a disappointing IPL 2025 season.
Equally important is Livingstone’s bowling versatility. His ability to deliver both leg-breaks and off-spin adds a valuable tactical option, especially on Hyderabad’s spin-friendly home surfaces. This dual skill package made him a priority signing despite heavy competition.
Also read: IPL 2026 Auction – Complete List of Unsold Players with Base Prices
