Glenn Maxwell lights up cricket world with 'unbelievable' display in IPL

Glenn Maxwell has cemented his status as one of the most important members of the Royal Challengers Bangalore after spearheading his side's seven-run win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. The Aussie cricket star belted his second half-century of the week to guide his side to a crucial win and provide further evidence that he has moved on from a horror injury at the end of last year.

Maxwell had to undergo a long rehabilitation from the broken leg he suffered in a freak accident at a birthday party last November. The allrounder has rediscovered some vintage form in this edition of the IPL, with his swashbuckling 77 off just 44 balls reminiscent of the big-hitting and confident Maxwell of old.

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The 34-year-old has cracked three quick-fire half centuries in his last five innings to provide a timely reminder about his importance to an RCB side trying to break into the IPL's top-four. 'The Big Show' raced to his 16th IPL half-century off just 27 balls after smashing Jason Holder for a straight six halfway through the RCB innings.

The Aussie looked a good bet to go past his league best of 95 and claim his first IPL ton as he clattered six fours and four sixes. He even completely mistimed one unorthodox slog off Ravichandran Ashwin, which incredibly still flew for six.

After putting on 127 with captain Faf du Plessis - the league's leading scorer (405 runs), who was run out brilliantly by Yashasvi Jaiswal for 62 - Maxwell was left raging at himself when a switch hit off Ashwin went straight to Holder at point. It was an unfortunate end to a sublime innings from Maxwell that had the cricket world in awe.

“The way Maxi came out and batted was unbelievable,” Virat Kohli said of his RCB teammate. “He took the game away from the opposition within a span of four overs. And then Faf (du Plessis) followed suit as well, their partnership was just amazing. One of the best counterattacking partnerships I have seen, especially given the conditions."

Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis lead the way for RCB

Despite RCB ending up short of the 200 mark on 9-189, Maxwell's contribution still proved key as Rajasthan never quite recovered from the shock of a second-ball dismissal of Jos Buttler in their chase. They eventually fell just short on 6-182, despite Devdutt Padikkal's half-century and Dhruv Jurel's last-gasp unbeaten 34 off 16 deliveries.

Maxwell wasn't quite as effective with the ball after being taken for 25 runs off his two overs. However, the veteran all-rounder has now taken his tally to 253 runs in seven innings with the bat.

Crucially, the big-hitting Aussie has scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 188.80, the second best among the top 20 scorers. His 23 sixes have also only been bettered over the season by du Plessis's 25.

The capacity home crowd were left thrilled, making up for their day's big let down - Kohli falling for a golden duck off the very first ball of the day, trapped lbw by New Zealand quick Trent Boult for his 100th IPL wicket.

In the day's later game at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, Chennai Super Kings piled up 4-235, the league's highest score so far this season, en route to beating the home Knight Riders (8-168) by 49 runs and moving to the top of the IPL table. Ajinkya Rahane, who's the only top-20 batter to be scoring at a quicker rate than Maxwell, hit 71 not out off 29 deliveries.

Shivam Dube added a 21-ball 50 and New Zealander Devon Conway notched his fourth consecutive half-century (56 off 40 balls) to help lead Chennai to victory. In reply, not even Jason Roy's 26-ball 61 and Rinku Singh's unbeaten 53 off 33 could get the home side anywhere near the target as Chennai enjoyed their fifth win in seven games.

with AAP

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