'I have let Ricky Ponting down in a couple of tournaments': Glenn Maxwell opens up on poor IPL 2025 season for Punjab Kings after maiden MLC century

Recently retired from ODIs, Australia's Glenn Maxwell is relishing the responsibility as captain of Washington Freedom in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025. In the game against Los Angeles Knight Riders, Maxwell smashed 13 sixes in his unbeaten 49-ball 106 at Oaklad Coliseum, California. After Maxwell's knock helped Washington Freedom post 208/5, LA Knight Riders suffered a collapse and were bowled out for 95. The skipper was ecstatic to score a century in front of his family and relieved to repay head coach Ricky Ponting's faith.

Maxwell did not ballistic from ball one. At one point, he had scored 11 runs from 15 balls. Then, he switched to the highest gear and scored his maiden century for the franchise. After the win, Maxwell opened up on letting Ponting down at Punjab Kings (PBKS) and before (Delhi Daredevils, now known as Delhi Capitals).

"I gave myself a chance for sure. Being the captain, you want to carry on for the team. I got to a position where I thought I could just go on. I had 155-160 in my mind," Maxwell said in the post-match presentation.

"I feel like I was hitting well in India. Sometimes the results don't go your way. Just a bit of time is needed to get going. I have let him (Ricky Ponting) down in a couple of tournaments. I missed out playing for Punjab in the later stages of the IPL. Playing under Ricky, we hopefully have a chance to add to last year's trophy."

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Maxwell's dry run for PBKS in IPL 2025

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Maxwell managed to score just 48 runs from six innings. He was dropped and later ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. He was replaced by Washington Freedom teammate Mitchell Owen in the PBKS squad. Shreyas Iyer's PBKS made it to the final but lost to Maxwell's former franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six runs.

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Defending champions bounce back after horrible start

Meanwhile, Maxwell's Washington Freedom have bounced back well after a comprehensive loss to San Francisco Unicorns in the tournament opener. In the previous game, Washington Freedom beat Heinrich Klaasen's Seattle Orcas. Washington Frredom are placed third on the points table. They have improved their net run rate (NRR) as well.