Glenn Maxwell, the Australian all-rounder, has decided to take a break from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to prioritize his physical and mental well-being. The decision came after Maxwell requested the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) management to replace him for the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Maxwell’s struggles in IPL 2024 have been evident, with the player scoring only 32 runs in six innings at an average of 5.33. Despite speculations of a thumb injury, Maxwell clarified that it was not the reason for his absence.
“It was an easy decision for me,” Maxwell said after RCB’s sixth defeat in seven matches. “I felt it was time to give someone else a chance. I’ve been in this situation before, and I think it’s better to take a break now and get my body and mind right.”
Maxwell acknowledged the team’s deficiency in the powerplay, an area where he has excelled in recent seasons. “I wasn’t contributing positively with the bat, and I felt it was the right time to give someone else an opportunity,” he explained.
Despite his recent struggles, Maxwell entered IPL 2024 in impressive form, having scored 552 runs in 17 T20s since November. However, a first-ball duck against Chennai Super Kings set the tone for his disappointing campaign.
“T20 cricket can be fickle,” Maxwell said. “I’ve made good decisions, but I’ve still found ways to get out. It can snowball, and you can start trying too hard.”
The SRH game, which turned out to be a high-scoring affair, left Maxwell with a sense of regret. “I realized it was probably a bad game to miss,” he said with a smile. “But I needed the physical and mental break to give myself the right to play professional cricket.”
Maxwell’s decision echoes a similar situation he faced in IPL 2020, where he managed only 108 runs in 11 innings. However, he emphasized that the circumstances were different this time.
“Back then, I was bowling well and playing more as a spinner,” Maxwell said. “Here, I’ve been working on taking ownership, but the runs haven’t come. I’ve had a great six months leading into this tournament, so it’s frustrating. But I’m confident I can finish well if I get another opportunity.”
