Published 17:20 IST, November 28th 2020
Glenn Maxwell shuns poor IPL 2020 season to stun Indian fans with 19-ball 45; watch video
Australia's Glenn Maxwell quashed all doubts on his from following a dreadful IPL with a swashbuckling 19-ball 45 in the 1st ODI vs India on Friday.
Glenn Maxwell had a point to prove when he walked into bat against India in the first ODI in Sydney on Friday. The Australian hard-hitter had endured a turbulent Dream11 IPL 2020 in the lead up to the series against the Men in Blue. However, the 32-year-old quashed all those doubts en route a whirlwind knock that set up the hosts' win in the 1st ODI.
India vs Australia 1st ODI highlights: Glenn Maxwell basks on home turf, scores blistering 19-ball 45
Glenn Maxwell walked into bat after Marcus Stoinis had departed for a duck. Earlier in the innings, Australian skipper Aaron Finch departed having made a well compiled 114, having stitched monumental partnerships with David Warner and Steve Smith. Australia needed impetus in their innings to push their score well above 350 and had set the perfect platform for Stoinis and Maxwell to explode. And while the former failed, the latter did not disappoint, as he hit the Indian bowling attack to all parts of the ground during his short stay at the crease.
Maxwell was particularly hard on leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as he raced to a 19-ball 45, laced with five fours and three sixes. The 32-year-old's heroics gave Steve Smith come breathing who also launched his onslaught in the later overs to take Australia to a daunting 374 in their 50 overs. The target, in the end, proved to be too much for visitors, as they succumbed to 66-run defeat despite Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya's heroics.
India vs Australia 1st ODI highlights: WATCH Maxwell's stroke-filled 45
Maxwell IPL 2020 stats: Australian reveals apologising to KL Rahul
Glenn Maxwell had a torrid time in the UAE, scoring a paltry 108 runs in 13 games during the Dream11 IPL 2020. The 32-year-old also pitched in with three wickets in what was a lacklustre performance by the Australian. Maxwell was the source of heavy trolling throughout the IPL, and netizens spared a thought for KL Rahul who was keeping wickets during the 32-year-old's onslaught on Saturday. Maxwell, in a tweet revealed that he apologised to the Punjab captain for his lack of runs during the IPL, which was one of the key reasons why the side missed out on a playoffs berth.
(Image Courtesy: cricket.com.au)
Updated 17:20 IST, November 28th 2020