IPL 2027: CSK Trade Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis to SRH for Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have completed a four-player trade ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season, reshaping their squads before the upcoming campaign.
Under the confirmed deal, England all-rounder Liam Livingstone and Australian seam-bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards will join Chennai Super Kings. In exchange, Indian left-arm fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed and Australian pacer Nathan Ellis will move to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The trade gives CSK additional options in the batting and all-rounder departments, while SRH strengthen their pace-bowling resources with two players who bring different skills and experience.
According to the official IPL announcement, Livingstone will join CSK at a revised fee of ₹6 crore, compared with the ₹13 crore at which SRH originally acquired him. Edwards will retain his existing fee of ₹3 crore, while Khaleel and Ellis will move at fees of ₹4.8 crore and ₹2 crore, respectively.
IPL 2027 Four-Player Trade: Complete Details
The exchange involves four players from England, India and Australia, with both franchises addressing different squad requirements.
- Liam Livingstone: SRH to CSK — ₹6 crore
- Jack Edwards: SRH to CSK — ₹3 crore
- Khaleel Ahmed: CSK to SRH — ₹4.8 crore
- Nathan Ellis: CSK to SRH — ₹2 crore
The move is significant for Chennai because Livingstone offers explosive middle-order batting and the ability to bowl both leg-spin and off-spin. Edwards adds another seam-bowling all-rounder, giving the franchise an additional option with both bat and ball.
For Hyderabad, Khaleel provides an Indian left-arm pace option, while Ellis is known for his variations and effectiveness in the death overs.
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Liam Livingstone Joins Chennai Super Kings at a Reduced Fee
Livingstone is one of the headline names in the trade. The England international is known for his power-hitting, ability to clear the boundary and versatility as a bowling option in T20 cricket.
However, his IPL 2026 campaign with SRH did not go as planned. He featured in only two matches and scored 15 runs, finding it difficult to establish a regular place in the playing XI.
His move to Chennai gives him an opportunity to restart his IPL campaign with a different franchise. CSK will hope that a change of environment helps the all-rounder rediscover the aggressive form that has made him a valuable player in white-ball cricket.
The revised fee of ₹6 crore is also a notable feature of the agreement. SRH had originally signed Livingstone for ₹13 crore, meaning CSK acquire his services at a substantially lower contract value.
Livingstone could add power to Chennai’s middle order and give the team greater flexibility when selecting its batting and bowling combination.
Jack Edwards Gets an Opportunity at CSK
Australian seam-bowling all-rounder Jack Edwards is the second player moving from SRH to CSK.
Edwards was signed by Hyderabad ahead of IPL 2026 but could not make his IPL debut after a foot injury ruled him out of the season.
His transfer to Chennai offers him a fresh opportunity to establish himself in the tournament. At his existing fee of ₹3 crore, he could provide CSK with additional depth in both the batting and bowling departments.
Edwards’ ability to contribute with the bat and bowl seam makes him a potentially useful squad option. However, his impact in the IPL will depend on his fitness, performances and opportunities in the playing XI.
CSK will be looking to make the most of his all-round abilities as they prepare their squad for IPL 2027.
Khaleel Ahmed Returns to Sunrisers Hyderabad
Khaleel Ahmed will return to the franchise where he previously played between 2018 and 2021.
The left-arm fast bowler enjoyed a productive IPL 2025 season with Chennai Super Kings, taking 15 wickets in 14 matches. His ability to generate movement and bowl from different angles made him a useful option in the pace attack.
However, his IPL 2026 campaign was interrupted by a right quadriceps injury. Khaleel appeared in five matches before being ruled out for the remainder of the season.
His move to SRH gives the franchise another Indian fast-bowling option at an existing fee of ₹4.8 crore. His familiarity with the Hyderabad setup could also help him settle into the squad.
If he returns to full fitness and reproduces his earlier form, Khaleel could play an important role in strengthening SRH’s bowling attack.
Nathan Ellis Strengthens SRH’s Death Bowling
Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis is the fourth player involved in the exchange, moving from CSK to SRH at his existing fee of ₹2 crore.
Ellis is recognised for his variations, control and ability to bowl during the closing overs of T20 matches. Those skills can be particularly valuable when teams need to restrict scoring against aggressive finishers.
His arrival gives Hyderabad another pace option as the franchise builds its bowling combinations for IPL 2027.
Ellis brings experience in limited-overs cricket, but his role and availability will depend on the team’s final plans and his fitness heading into the tournament.
Together, Ellis and Khaleel give SRH two different pace-bowling options: an Indian left-arm quick and an Australian specialist known for his variations.
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What the Trade Means for CSK and SRH
The exchange reflects two different approaches to squad building ahead of the new season.
For CSK, Livingstone offers the potential to strengthen the middle order with aggressive batting, while Edwards adds depth as a seam-bowling all-rounder. The revised contract value for Livingstone may also provide the franchise with greater flexibility when planning the rest of its squad.
For SRH, the trade prioritises bowling resources. Khaleel brings experience with the franchise and a record of taking wickets in the IPL, while Ellis offers another option for managing the final overs of an innings.
Neither side can be judged solely on the names involved. The success of the trade will ultimately depend on player fitness, consistency and how effectively each franchise uses its new additions.
The exchange also sets up an interesting storyline for IPL 2027, as the four players prepare to represent new teams or return to familiar surroundings.
Conclusion
Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad have confirmed a four-player trade ahead of IPL 2027. Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards will join CSK, while Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis move to SRH.
Livingstone’s revised fee of ₹6 crore stands out in the deal, while Edwards offers Chennai another all-rounder. Hyderabad, meanwhile, strengthen their pace attack with Khaleel’s left-arm bowling and Ellis’s death-over experience.
Both franchises will now look to integrate their new players into their plans for the upcoming season. Fans will be watching closely to see whether the trade helps CSK and SRH build stronger and more balanced squads.
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