Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been active in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2012 and in these years, he has established himself as one of the most illustrious batters in the league. His best performance in the cash-rich tournament came in 2014 when he notched up 552 runs for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 16 matches at a sensational strike rate of 187.75.
The Aussie veteran possesses an incredible power-hitting potential which makes him one of the best batters of current times. In IPL, his exceptional quality helped him slaughter a lot of quality bowling attacks in the past. Noting the veteran’s vast IPL career, let’s discuss his five best IPL knocks of all time.
Here are Glenn Maxwell’s five best IPL knocks:
5. Unbeaten 50 against Rajasthan Royals, 2021
In the second leg of the 2021 IPL, when RCB clashed with Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Dubai International Stadium, the former got a convincing seven-wicket win with the amazing batting effort of Maxwell. Winning the toss, RCB elected to field first, and riding on their bowlers’ excellent work, they contained the 2008 champions on 149.
Chasing the target, Bangalore got a fine start from their openers Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal but after the dismissal of both batters, Maxwell took the matter into his own hands and did a finishing job with his rapid knock of 50 off just 30 deliveries. His spunky innings included six fours and a maximum.
4. 68 off 42 against Kolkata Knight Riders, 2016
Maxwell played five seasons for PBKS in his 12-year IPL career so far. His first stint was from 2013-17 and in those four years, he went through ups and downs. In 2016, he failed to be effective with both bat and ball but against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens, he played a solid knock under pressure.
Following an average total of 165, PBKS lost their top three batters at a score of 13 but Maxwell held his nerves and displayed his intrepid approach. Despite not getting support from one end, the right-handed batter played some massive strokes and took the game close for his side. In the end, Punjab fell seven runs short but the Aussie’s knock mesmerized numerous cricket fans.
3. 77 off 44 against Rajasthan Royals, 2023
RCB supporters always expect top-notch performances from their side at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In 2023, Bangalore fans witnessed some extraordinary knocks from the batting trio Kohli, Maxwell, and Du Plessis at their home venue. Against the Sanju Samson-led RR, Maxwell shone with his bat and brought cheers to the faces of Challengers’ fans.
Bowling first after winning the toss, RR got early breakthroughs in the form of Virat Kohli and Shahbaz Ahmed, who failed to counter Trent Boult’s challenge. In the crunch situation, Maxwell came to the crease and supported his skipper Faf du Plessis. Both legends stitched a 127-run partnership that helped RCB build a quality total of 189 at the end of the innings.
Glenn Maxwell racked up 77 off 44 with 10 boundaries (six fours and four maximums). Pursuing the huge total, RR went close but Harshal Patel’s disciplined bowling show (3/32 in four overs) restricted RR to 182. In the end, Maxwell received the Player of the Match award for his stunning batting display.
2. 78 off 49 against Kolkata Knight Riders, 2021
Maxwell donned the RCB jersey for the first time in 2021 and delivered an efficient batting show to his team’s fans. With 513 runs in 15 matches at a marvellous strike rate of 144.10, he ended up as the fifth-leading run-getter in the competition. His best knock of the season was against KKR at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
On Chennai’s spin-friendly track, RCB won the toss and elected to bat first. Varun Chakravarthy trapped Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar in the second over of the game and pushed RCB under pressure. Following the early blows, Maxwell stepped up and took KKR’s bowling attack to the cleaners.
The Aussie confronted 49 deliveries and scored 78 runs with 12 boundaries (nine fours and three maximums). His fearless knock instilled confidence in AB de Villiers, who hit an unbeaten 76 off just 34. Both exceptional knocks helped RCB deliver a 206-run target to Knight Riders, who could score only 166 runs in a reply.
1. 95 off 43 against Chennai Super Kings, 2014
In 2014, Maxwell recorded his best IPL season with the bat, accumulating 552 runs in 16 matches at a breathtaking strike rate of 187.75. Against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, he played a 95-run knock and helped his team pull off a huge target of 206 runs in 18.5 overs.
Pursuing the big total, Punjab lost both openers Virender Sehwag and Cheteshwar Pujara within four overs but Maxwell stood tall and batted with a fierce approach. In the sixth over, Axar Patel also went back to the dugout. After three wickets, the Aussie stalwart built a 115-run stand for the fourth wicket, with David Miller.
The right-handed batter departed after scoring 95 off just 43 and Miller along with the skipper George Bailey took the team home. Maxwell received the Player of the Match award for his impressive match-winning knock.
from IPL Live Score | IPL News, IPL 2024 Updates, Squads & Results - CricTracker