In a notable decision ahead of the IPL 2026 match between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), England all-rounder Liam Livingstone was excluded from SRH's playing XI. Captain Ishan Kishan confirmed at the toss that Salil Arora has returned to the squad, but no official reason was provided for Livingstone's omission. This decision has sparked speculation among fans and analysts, especially considering Livingstone's reputation as a power-hitter. In their previous match against Lucknow Super Giants, he scored only 14 runs off 20 balls, which may have influenced the decision. Alongside Livingstone, Jaydev Unadkat was also left out, with Praful Hinge stepping in as a replacement. SRH's current lineup includes notable players like Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, while their impact substitutes feature Livingstone and Unadkat. On the other hand, Punjab Kings enter the match with a strong momentum, having earned five points from three matches, including two wins. SRH, with one win and two losses, seeks to improve their performance after a disappointing start to the season.