Glenn Maxwell, who plays for Kings XI Punjab, had blamed his inconsistent run in the IPL to frequent changes in his role which was made clear to him when he represented his national team Australia.
The 31-year-old Kings XI Punjab batsman came to the IPL, and much was expected from him after a successful tour of England, where he smashed a 90-ball 108 batting at number seven to script a memorable series-winning run chase alongside Alex Carey who also scored a century.
Glenn Maxwell: IPL Role Changes As Teams Change Sides A Lot
The Victorian Glenn Maxwell explained that he will not like to compare IPL and Australian career as he had a clearer role with fewer changes in the squad in international cricket.
“The way I have played international cricket, it has been more of a clearer role. I know exactly how the guys will bat around me,” he said.
Glenn Maxwell is back to his best in international cricket but failed so far in IPL 2020 as his performances by scoring 58 runs at 14.50 in seven games so far is not up to expectations.
Due to his exploits for Australia, Glenn Maxwell has always been sought after in the IPL, and most recently KXIP bought him back by paying a whopping Rs 10.75 crore at the auction.
“My role in IPL changes probably for most games. In IPL, a lot of teams change their sides a lot. In the Australian setup, we have the same eleven for most of the games, we all know our roles really well,” said Glenn Maxwell.
He is batting at five for KXIP this season and said his role is to support the top-four.
“When you are only together for two months in the year with IPL, there is going to be chopping and changing. You are always looking for that right team balance.“
Glenn Maxwell scored 552 runs in the 2014 edition averaging 34.5 which helped KXIP to reach their only final appearance. But he enjoyed the most in the 2017 season when he was captain.
“Despite the fact I did well in 2014, I actually thought my performance in 2017 was my best season. “
He scored 310 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 173.18 and also picked 7 wickets averaging only 17.85 in 2017. The following season, he played for Delhi Capitals. He did not take part in IPL 2019.
Glenn Maxwell: Tough Campaign For KXIP In IPL 2020
With the top-four batsman like KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran facing most of the balls, Glenn Maxwell feels he has not got enough time in the middle to make an impact with the bat.
“This year has been a different role (batting at five) and I am trying to get used to it. “
“There have been limited opportunities for me to ba,” Maxwell added.
He has also been surprised by the slow and sluggish nature of pitches in the UAE not offering spinners much turn and being easier for set batsmen at the top of the order.
“The wickets have probably surprised me a little bit in terms of the way they have played.”
“The wickets have been a little bit slower. It has been probably easier for guys to bat at the top of the order than someone to come out and hit from ball one.”
With six losses in seven games, every game is a must-win for bottom-placed KXIP from here on.
“It has been a tough campaign for us as a team. I would say we were ahead in a lot of those close games but unfortunately came short,” Maxwell said.
KXIP are languishing at the bottom of the points table after only one win in seven matches against RCB. They face RCB again next on 15th October where they will try to win and change combinations with Chris Gayle fit again and ready to play. Skipper KL Rahul is leading run-scorer and Mayank Agarwal the 2nd highest.