Kings XI Punjab were reeling at the bottom of the table with just one win from six matches. But their best performance came in desperation as the Punjab boys stopped the on-song Gujarat Lions with a sensational win. However, problems just didn’t seem to be leaving the Kings’ corner. Just ahead of the match on Sunday it would have been a disaster for them.
Their star batsman Glenn Maxwell got hit on his hand two times during the practice session on Saturday. First one was, Maxwell took a hit from Anureet Singh on his hand and was seen in severe pain.
But, there was bigger trouble waiting for the Aussie as his compatriot Mitchell Johnson’s delivery hit his arm yet again. This time out of agony, Maxwell threw his bat and left the ground with the physio. However, few minutes later, he did return to the field but didn’t bat again.
It was big relief for the Kings XI as the 27-year-old was comfortable during fielding practice.
Maxwell hasn’t been in the best of forms in this IPL. His highest score in the current edition came against Mumbai Indians when he scored 56.
The Australian has had an up and down tournament so far, but he is still backing himself and the team also hasn’t given up on him, which is an important aspect because everybody knows what a game changer like Maxwell can do on his day. When it comes off for him it’s exciting to watch and he just needs that bit of momentum to get going.
Maxwell always tries to play unconventional shots, something that not everybody likes. But to him, that’s what T20 cricket is all about, that’s what it has brought the game. The format has brought so much entertainment and the 27-year-old hard-hitter is surely an entertaining player.
After their massive win against Gujarat Lions, Kings XI will travel to Kolkata next and play the Knight Riders on Wednesday.