Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is surprised over the way all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is leading Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab in the tenth edition of the lucrative league before adding he is excited to see Maxwell going a long way while giving his best as a skipper and equally as a batsman.
“I was a little bit surprised (Kings XI Punjab made him captain) but I’m actually really excited for him to get that opportunity,” Ponting was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Being the mentor of Mumbai Indians in the recent past, Ponting stated the role of a leadership would help the promising all-rounder in the foreseeable future.
“I actually think it’ll bring the best out of him. His last couple of years of IPL cricket haven’t been as good as the years prior, but to get that bit more of responsibility could be just what he needs,” Ponting said.
The veteran batsman Ponting also revealed that he didn’t expect Maxwell will be appointed skipper too early while explaining it would turn out to be the best thing for the countryman.
“This could just be the start. It could be the beginning of a very, very good back half of Glenn Maxwell’s life. So I wish him all the best,” Ponting added.
While having senior players at the helm in the form of South African batsmen Hashim Amla and David Miller followed by England Twenty20 captain Eoin Morgan and Twenty20 World Cup winning leader from the West Indies Darren Sammy, Maxwell was the surprise element to get announced as a skipper form Mohali-based outfit.
“And that’s probably going to be the most difficult thing for Maxi; the on field stuff will be fine, the other pressures that come with it will be a bigger challenge,” Ponting revealed.
Following the unbeaten record so far in the two IPL matches as a skipper against Rising Pune Supergiant and that was followed by a comprehensive win against Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets as the Maxwell-led side has played their both initial games at Holkar Stadium in Indore, which is also their second home base.
“The moments I’ve spent with him and you talk about the game with him, I think he understands the game particularly well. They’re the kind of things you have to manage as a captain or a coach of an IPL team. There’s so many external things to manage.
Following the consecutive wins, Maxwell has scored unbeaten 44 and 43 in the first two games to see his side home.
Earlier, Maxwell has brought up his maiden Test century against India in the Ranchi Test which was hailed by former Australia players for showing his grit and resilience.
The 28-year-old Maxwell has played 45 matches so far in which he has amassed 1,005 runs at an average of 25.76 which include six fifties.