Picture Credit: X/IPL
India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has criticised Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for his underwhelming batting performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The 36-year-old has played six matches in the tournament so far, scoring only 41 runs in five innings at an egregious average of 8.20. Maxwell has returned to PBKS after five years as the franchise parted ways with him after the 2020 season following which he served Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from 2021 to 2024. Punjab have performed stupendously in this IPL season but Maxwell’s batting struggle has become a headache for the team as he is consistently getting targeted by former players for his form.
Former New Zealand bowler Simon Doull urged PBKS to drop the Aussie from their playing XI against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and now, Pujara has also jumped on the bandwagon. The India Test batter remarked that the Aussie veteran takes things casually while playing in the cash-rich league. "The way he bats hasn't changed much. He hasn't changed the way he has approached the IPL. There have been times where he's been a little casual. He's the same what he was maybe eight-ten years ago. I'm a little critical, but there are times where as a player you need to wake up," said Pujara in a conversation with ESPNcricinfo.
Pujara also added, "You need to realise you're getting an opportunity to play and be part of a franchise where things are at stake. And there are times a player can get casual, they're not worried about what's happening. I'm sure he wants to perform but when you're not performing there's a fine line of being causal and just trying to pull up your socks and trying to perform. He has to find that balance, if there was any other player he would've been out of the XI, but because he's Maxwell he's getting that opportunity."
Will Maxwell make it to PBKS’ playing XI against RCB?
If PBKS include Maxwell in their playing XI against RCB, he will be expected to showcase his batting mettle. Serving Challengers for four years, he produced some fine knocks while batting at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Back in 2019, he also played an incredible innings off 113 (55) for Australia against India in a T20 International (T20I) game played at the venue.
However, the question arises whether PBKS will provide him another chance in the 11-member squad against Bengaluru. RCB, who have quality bowlers such as Bhuvenshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, will ask tough questions to the Australian with their bowling.
