Usman Khawaja Backs Glenn Maxwell For ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Glenn Maxwell, renowned for his explosive batting prowess, endured a torrid time during the recent IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In what could be termed his nadir in 13 years of IPL cricket, Maxwell struggled to find his form, averaging a meager 5.78 across nine innings. His usually aggressive batting style seemed subdued, managing only six boundaries throughout the tournament, with four of them coming in a solitary 28-run knock against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Notably, Maxwell suffered the ignominy of being dismissed for a duck on four occasions, compounding his woes. Amidst the barrage of criticism and trolling directed at Maxwell, his teammate and seasoned campaigner, Usman Khawaja, came to his defense.

Having shared the field with Maxwell in 45 matches, Khawaja offered a staunch defense, emphasizing that the IPL form should not overshadow Maxwell's proven track record. Khawaja reiterated the age-old adage of cricketing consistency, asserting that even the most seasoned players encounter rough patches in their careers. He dismissed the notion that Maxwell's recent struggles should jeopardize his place in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad, citing his invaluable contributions and match-winning abilities in the past.

“The IPL form is absolutely irrelevant. Maxy’s proven himself time and time again. Any player who’s performed over a long period of time understands that you can’t perform well every time you go out there," Usman Khawaja told The West Australian in a recent interview.

Khawaja, acknowledging the inherently high-risk nature of Maxwell's batting and the challenges of playing in the middle-order, stressed that occasional early dismissals are par for the course in cricket. He defended Maxwell against the severe criticism stemming from his IPL 2024 performances, arguing that such scrutiny fails to account for the unpredictable nature of the game.

In the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, Khawaja emphasized the significance of momentum, particularly in a tournament of such stature. He expressed confidence that Maxwell, with his vast experience, would rediscover his form with a single impactful innings. Encouraging his teammate to stay true to his natural playing style, Khawaja reiterated his belief in Maxwell's ability to deliver for their nation. He firmly asserted that Maxwell would remain steadfast in his approach and ultimately rise to the occasion when it mattered most.

"You take a few risks, particularly if you bat in the middle-order, and T20 cricket’s not easy. But (for this tournament), if he gets one good innings, he’s away. It doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past. He’s not going to change his game, and nor should he. Just keep going. He’ll find it," Khawaja added.