JuicyTalk
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) owner Kavya Maran once again emerged as one of the most talked-about figures of the IPL auction, as her emotional and animated reactions lit up the bidding room when SRH secured England all-rounder Liam Livingstone for ₹13 crore.
The dramatic moment unfolded after Hyderabad outbid Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), triggering celebrations that quickly took over social media timelines.
Cameras repeatedly focused on Maran throughout the bidding, capturing her smiles, hand gestures and visible relief as SRH stayed ahead in one of the auction’s most gripping battles.
Liam Livingstone’s auction journey: From unsold to hot property
Livingstone’s path at the auction was anything but straightforward. The explosive England international surprisingly went unsold in the initial round, raising eyebrows among fans and experts alike. However, his return in the accelerated auction phase completely changed the narrative.
What followed was a fierce bidding contest involving Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, Gujarat Titans, and eventually Lucknow Super Giants. As the price climbed rapidly, franchises began dropping out, leaving SRH and LSG locked in a head-to-head duel.
Lucknow stretched their resources to the limit, pushing the bid to ₹12.80 crore before exhausting their remaining purse. That opened the door for SRH to make the final move, sealing Livingstone’s services at ₹13 crore.
Kavya Maran steals spotlight at the 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 unrestrained joy, her expressions resonated strongly with fans.
Clips of the SRH owner celebrating quickly went viral, with fans posting captions such as “Finally Kavya gets her man”, “Never seen Kavya Maran this happy” and “Kavya Maran’s moodswings during the bid for Liam Livingstone.”
Kavya Maran’s moodswings during the bid for Liam Livingstone 🤣😂 #IPL2026Auction pic.twitter.com/jeJlTnYp0h
— Kumar Sourav (@AdamDhoni1) December 17, 2025
The emotional response struck a chord, particularly because SRH had previously failed to land Livingstone during the IPL 2022 mega auction, a moment that supporters clearly remembered.
For many fans, the successful bid felt like long-awaited redemption.
Why Liam Livingstone was SRH’s top target?
Behind the scenes, SRH’s think-tank viewed Liam Livingstone as a near-perfect fit for their squad composition. The England star offers explosive middle-order power, capable of changing games within a few overs – something 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 the heavy competition.
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction – Full list of unsold players along with their base price
