IPL 2025: Liam Livingstone Smashes 54 vs GT, Crosses 1,000 IPL Runs with Brutal Assault on Rashid Khan

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England all-rounder Liam Livingstone put on a dazzling show for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in match number 14 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, crafting a crucial half-century against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

With his side reeling at 35/3, Livingstone’s composed yet explosive innings of 54 runs helped RCB post a competitive total of 169/8 in their 20 overs.

The innings was a tale of patience and power-hitting, as the Englishman weathered early pressure before launching a brutal assault on GT's premier spinner, Rashid Khan. In the process, he not only salvaged RCB’s innings but also reached a significant milestone—crossing 1,000 career IPL runs.

A Knock of Two Halves: Livingstone Finds His Groove

Walking in at a precarious juncture, Livingstone took his time to settle in, opening his account only after four consecutive dot balls. The pressure was immense, with RCB already having lost key wickets early on. However, he found support in Jitesh Sharma, and together, they stitched a valuable 52-run partnership, stabilising the innings.

Just when it seemed RCB had regained control, Krunal Pandya’s dismissal left them struggling at 104/6. Livingstone, however, was undeterred. He dug in, cautiously accumulating 24 runs off his first 28 deliveries before finally switching gears.

The moment of explosion came in the middle overs when Livingstone took Rashid Khan apart in a brutal onslaught. Across two overs, he launched the Afghan leg-spinner for four monstrous sixes, bringing up his half-century in 39 balls. His aggressive approach injected much-needed momentum into RCB’s innings, but his stay at the crease was cut short when Mohammed Siraj sent him back.

Rashid Khan Faces Livingstone’s Wrath

While Rashid Khan has often been the tormentor-in-chief in IPL history, this time, he found himself at the receiving end of Livingstone’s fury. All five of the Englishman’s sixes in the innings came off Rashid’s bowling—a staggering statistic that underscores his dominance over the wrist-spinner.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Livingstone has now hammered Rashid for seven sixes across six IPL innings. His record against the Afghan maestro stands at 66 runs from 39 balls at an imposing strike rate of 169.23. However, Rashid has managed to dismiss him three times, keeping their battle an intriguing one.

A Landmark Moment: 1,000 IPL Runs for Livingstone

Livingstone’s innings wasn’t just another impactful knock—it was a landmark one. With his 40-ball 54, which featured one boundary and five towering sixes, he became the latest entrant into the IPL’s 1,000-run club.

In 42 IPL appearances, the English dasher now boasts 1,018 runs at an average of 29.08 and an astonishing strike rate of 161.07. His tally includes seven half-centuries, further reinforcing his reputation as one of the most destructive batters in the league.

Not just in the IPL, Livingstone has been a force in T20 cricket globally. Across all T20 matches, he has amassed 6,851 runs at 27.84, including 36 half-centuries and two centuries. His tally of 416 sixes in the format speaks volumes about his ability to clear the ropes with ease.

What This Means for RCB

RCB’s campaign has been a mixed bag so far, and Livingstone’s return to form comes as a massive boost. While their total of 169/8 might seem modest on paper, the nature of their fightback—led by Livingstone’s counterattack—gives them hope in a tightly contested IPL season.

With the tournament still in its early stages, RCB will be looking at their English powerhouse to continue his fireworks and add to his growing IPL legacy. If his performance against GT is anything to go by, bowlers across the league might have to brace themselves for more pyrotechnics from Liam Livingstone in IPL 2025.