Australia’s legendary all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has opted out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. After two disappointing seasons with the bat, Maxwell has made the call to not continue his IPL career. On December 2, he released an official statement, thanking the league for shaping him as a cricket and as a person. He expressed gratitude for the support he got over the years.
"After many unforgettable seasons in the IPL, I've decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It's a big call, and one I make with a lot of gratitude for everything this league as given me,” Maxwell wrote in his official statement.
“The IPL has helped shape me as a cricketer and as a person. I've been lucky to play with world-class teammates, represent franchises, and perform in front of fans whose passion is unmatched. The memories, the challenges, and the energy of India will stay with me forever.
“Thank you for all your support over the years, hopefully see you soon.”
Maxwell played for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the previous season. He was roped in for Rs 4.2 crore in the mega auction. He could not get going and managed to score just 48 runs from six innings. Earlier, he had scored just 52 runs from nine innings for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Why Punjab Kings released Maxwell?
Last month, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that Maxwell wasn’t retained as he did not see him in the starting XI for IPL 2026.
“Love Glenn and what he brings to the game. Unfortunately, last year we weren’t able to get the best out of him,” Ponting had told Star Sports when they released Maxwell.
“Looking ahead to this season, we didn’t feel he would be part of our starting team, so we decided to release him,” he added.
While former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and former England all-rounder Moeen Ali have taken the Pakistan Super League (PSL) routes, Maxwell has not made any such commitments. He is still playing in T20Is and is likely to come to India next year for the T20 World Cup 2026.