Reflecting on his inconsistent run in the IPL over eight seasons, Australia’s swashbuckling batsman Glenn Maxwell on Tuesday (October 13) said it has a lot to with his frequent changes in role, something that is very clear to him while playing for the country.
Maxwell came to the IPL 2020 on the back of a successful tour of England, where he smashed a 90-ball 108 batting to script Australia’s memorable ODI series win.
However, he failed to replicate the same in the T20 league. Playing for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Maxwell has managed just 58 runs from 7 innings this season so far.
"I probably would not (compare IPL and Australia career). 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 told PTI in an exclusive chat.
Because of his exploits for Australia, Maxwell has always been sought after at the IPL auction. In 2018, Delhi Capitals fetched him for INR 9 Crore while KXIP roped him for a whopping Rs 10.75 Crore in December last year.
"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 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. The team you pick at the start of the tournament might not have the balance you think as you progress.
"We feel we are getting closer to that (team balance). I have had different experiences (in the IPL) where I have not quite performed to the level people expect but there has been no lack of trying, (or) putting the effort in training."
With the top-four facing most of the balls, Maxwell feels he has not spent enough time in the middle to make an impact.
"This year has been a different role (batting at five) and I am trying to get used to it. I would like to think that I have tried to do my role as well as I can.
"We have got Nicky (Nicholas Pooran) batting unbelievably well at four. With his power-hitting, my job has been to get him on strike and be there to help finish off games.
"I have been not out four times (three actually) in seven games which is probably never happened to me in the history of my career. So, it has been a strange transition for me batting at five and one that I feel, I have started to become more accustomed to."
When asked if he would like to bat higher up the order, Maxwell replied: "With the way the team is set up there is no position there for me. As I said, my role at the moment is to put the icing on the cake and help our guys in the top four. There have been limited opportunities for me to bat.”
"It has been a learning experience for sure...it is nice to be able to challenge myself with something different. I certainly have not been too hard on myself for my result in this tournament," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
