Glenn Maxwell sends World Cup reminder after 'mad' IPL scenes

Aussie international Glenn Maxwell has reminded selectors of his X-factor having blasted 76 runs off 36 balls to set the IPL alight. Maxwell and Faf du Plessis did their best to resurrect the Royal Challengers Bangalore's but were unable to help them get over the line after an eight-run loss to CSK on Monday.

The match saw an IPL record-equalling 33 sixes, eight smashed by Maxwell, as the Bangalore's were in trouble at 2-15 when Virat Kohli was dismissed. Maxwell entered the crease, chasing Chennai's 6-226, and added 126 in ten overs with du Plesiss to give his team a chance.

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Fans were left in awe as Maxwell looked unstoppable as he smashed sixes to all parts of the ground in a brilliant innings. Maxwell has returned to form after a freak injury at a birthday that rocked the end of his 2022 season.

Maxwell has been seeking confidence since he broke his leg and his 76 off 36 balls - following on from his 59 runs off 29 balls last week - reminded Australian selectors of his X-factor leading into the One-Day International World Cup in India later this year.

"It's an exhibition," one of the commentators said after Maxwell's sixth maximum. There appeared no stopping Maxwell until he topped edge a shot, which was caught by keeper MS Dhoni.

Unfortunately for Maxwell, the Bangalore's were dismissed in successive overs as CSK turned the screw and his team fell short on 8-218. Regardless, IPL fans were left in awe of Maxwell's display with the bat.

Maxwell has now has an average of 44.0 across five innings and is scoring at a run rate of 197.7. The 34-year-old will be dreaming of playing in at least one more World Cup and his latest display will give Australians confidence that he could lead the national team later this year.

Glenn Maxwell's innings not enough for Bangalore

New Zealand star Devon Conway was the difference in the first innings as he put on 74 off 43 with Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 37 off 20. Their partnership set the momentum for Chennai, who scored 112 runs in nine overs after the powerplay.

Conway added another 80 off 37 with Shivam Dube, who cracked five sixes and two fours in 52 off 27 balls. The New Zealand star's steady partnerships was enough to take his team past 200. Dinesh Karthik scored 28 off just 14 balls to help his team extend their score, which was just too much for Bangalore.

“DK finishing the game, that’s bread and butter for him, but that shows how good their bowling was,” Du Plessis said in his post-match interview. “At the toss, I said 200 was par, it was 10-15 too many.”

Bangalore started badly. Kohli played on for six and Mahipal Lomror was out for a five-ball duck despite being dropped. In all Chennai dropped five catches and missed two run-out opportunities, with Du Plessis taking advantage to score 62 off 33, including five fours and four sixes.

But after he followed Maxwell back to the hutch late cameos by Dinesh Karthik (28 off 14) and Suyash Prabhudessai (19 off 11) only reduced the margin of defeat.

Twelve bowlers were used between the teams. Aside from Mohammed Siraj, whose four overs went for 30 with one wicket, and Ravindra Jadeja, whose quartet went for 37, every bowler conceded more than ten an over. Maxwell took 1-28 off his 16 balls.

with AAP

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