Australia's World Cup-winning all-rounder, Glenn Maxwell, expressed his commitment to participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) until the very end of his cricketing career. He described the IPL as one of his most significant learning experiences and highlighted the valuable insights gained from sharing the dressing room with cricket stalwarts like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Stressing that he intends to play until he "can't walk anymore", Maxwell discussed the IPL's impact on his professional journey upon arriving at the Melbourne airport for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. Maxwell is set to captain the Melbourne Stars in the opening match of BBL 13 against the Brisbane Heat in Brisbane.
Having entered the IPL with the Delhi Capitals in 2012, Maxwell became a coveted player renowned for his capacity to influence matches through aggressive batting and effective off-spin bowling. While experiencing both successes and setbacks in the IPL, his tenures with Delhi and Mumbai Indians were notably less prosperous. It was with Punjab Kings in 2014 that he showcased his brilliance. However, it is with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) that the Australian all-rounder has truly realised his full potential in the lucrative league.
“The IPL will probably be the last tournament I ever play, as I will play the IPL until I can't walk anymore. I was talking about how good the IPL has been to me throughout my career; the people I've met, the coaches I have played under, the international players that you get to rub shoulders with, how beneficial to my whole career that tournament has been,” Maxwell said, as quoted by AAP.
"You're rubbing shoulders with AB and Virat for two months, talking to them while watching other games. It's just the greatest learning experience that any player could ask for. Hopefully, a lot of our Australian players can get over to the IPL and get to work in slightly similar conditions to the West Indies, where it is a little bit drier, it will spin."
Maxwell embarked on his journey with RCB in the 2021 season, having been acquired by the franchise in a heated bidding war for an impressive sum of Rs 14.25 crore. His arrival at RCB marked a significant turning point in his IPL career, as he swiftly evolved into a crucial figure within the team. In the 2021 edition, Maxwell showcased his batting prowess by accumulating a noteworthy 513 runs in 15 matches, boasting a formidable strike rate of 144.10.
Continuing into the subsequent season, Maxwell's talent remained on display, earning him a spot among the three players retained by RCB for the 2022 IPL. The substantial retention amount of Rs 11 crore underscored the substantial value he brought to the team. Throughout his tenure with RCB, Maxwell has played a crucial role in fortifying the middle order, frequently assuming the responsibility of a finisher capable of accelerating the scoring rate in the final stages of an innings.
In the 2023 season, Maxwell sustained his excellent form, registering 400 runs in 14 matches, which included three half-centuries.
Unsurprisingly, Maxwell secured retention for the IPL 2024 season, propelled by his outstanding performances during Australia's triumphant World Cup 2023 campaign. Notably, he achieved his maiden double hundred in a remarkable innings against Afghanistan in the World Cup and followed it up with a match-winning century against India in a T20I series before returning to Australia.
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