IPL 2025: Glenn Maxwell has well-and-truly arrived on the secen for Melbourne Stars, as the Australian all-rounder has been going all-guns-blazing lately in Big Bash League 14. The Melbourne Stars player has now scored three consecutive fifties, and we call can truly agree that January 2025 belongs to the 'Big Show'.
Melbourne Stars were enduring a forgettable start to BBL 14, as the side were languishing at the bottom of the table with 5 consecutive losses in as many matches, and no one gave them a chance of making into the playoffs.
With the change of the calendar year, their fortunes took a turn, as the side who looked clueless in all departments, suddenly started playing like invincibles. The Marcus Stoinis-led side thrashed opponents on their way to register 4 wins on the trot, and now sit a win away from sealing the final spot in the BBL 14 playoffs.
With the defeat of Brisbane Heat yesterday, Melbourne Stars are now ensured of making into the playoffs, as they are the only side left in the league stage with a game to play alongside the Hobart Hurricanes.
The last league game of the BBL 14 is a dead-rubber for the latter, as they are ensured of a first-place finish irrespective of the result.
Therefore, there is a good amount of chance that they might not go all-in for the mammoth chase of 220, as Melbourne Stars have managed to score 83 runs in the last 5 overs, thanks to brutal hitting from Glenn Maxwell, Beau Webster, and Hilton Cartwright.
Watch the highlights of Glenn Maxwell's brutal 76* below:
Punjab Kings Keeping A Close Eye On Glenn Maxwell
'Maxi' managed to score an astonishing unbeaten 76 off 32 deliveries, which included 5 fours and 6 sixes. Now, this knock not only gives Melbourne Stars a huge help in making into the playoffs, but also leaves Punjab Kings delighted.
Glenn Maxwell made a name for himseld in the IPL, after Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) showed trust in him, and bought him in the Player Auction for IPL 2014, and the Australian fired all cylinders in the season, as the franchise reached their maiden IPL final, only to lose to the all-iconic side of Kolkata Knight Riders, where, an inspired Manish Pandey thwarted the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Parwinder Awana for fun.
Punjab Kings have struggled for consistency, and are arguably the worst franchise in the IPL history alongside Delhi Capitals, as both of them remain trophyless ever since their inception in 2008.
Glenn Maxwell shares a similar 'consistency' story with Punjab Kings, as the Aussie all-rounder has remained a huge flop throughout his career, and managed to shone on very few occasions. But, whenever Glenn Maxwell stepped up in the past, he managed to produce a knock or performance for the ages, and one great example is his legendary unbeaten 201-run knock vs Afghanistan, where he dragged Australia from 92/7, to a successful chase of 292 in the league stage of the Men's Cricket ODI World Cup 2023 India.
The knock proved to be extremely decisive, as it saved Australia from the brink of elimination, and the side managed to defy the odds and 'silence' Ahmedabad in humbling of India, as Pat Cummins' men became ODI World Champions for a record-extending 6th time.
Glenn Maxwell is one of the most talented fielders the world has ever seen. The mutiple-time World champion has grabbed blinders over the years and saves runs for his irrespective of his batting form.
His bowling, too, comes in handy, as 'Maxi' provides key breakthroughs and often bowls economic overs consistently. Punjab Kings brought back their 'Million Dollar Baby' back home in the IPL 2025 Player Auction, and if Glenn Maxwell maintains his consistency in this year's IPL, the entire list of competitors have to get ready, as when the 'Big Show' gets going, no ground is big enough to contain him!