Australian batter Glenn Maxwell registers second-consecutive IPL half-century

Indian superstar Virat Kohli was in awe of Australian sensation Glenn Maxwell as he smacked his highest score in the IPL since 2014.

Glenn Maxwell in the IPL.

The Punjab Kings must be absolutely fuming.

Glenn Maxwell’s stunning Indian Premier League redemption story has continued, with the Australian smacking a second-consecutive half-century on Sunday evening.

Facing the Kolkata Knight Riders at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, Maxwell hammered 78 off 49 balls, his classy knock featuring nine boundaries and three sixes.

It was his highest IPL score since 2014.

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The Royal Challengers Bangalore were 2/9 with skipper Virat Kohli already back in the pavilion when the 31-year-old waltzed to the crease in the third over.

But momentum quickly shifted back in their favour.

Maxwell and teammate Devdutt Padikkal combined for a critical 86-run partnership before a blistering cameo from South African great AB de Villiers (76 not out off 34 balls) guided Bangalore to 204/4.

The RCB skipper applauds Glenn Maxwell's half-century 👏

Virat Kohli truly enjoys his teammates doing well 😁#IPL2021#RCBvKKRpic.twitter.com/tEhhgLSZEk

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) April 18, 2021

In just three innings, Maxwell has comfortably exceeded his run tally from last year’s IPL, where he represented the Punjab Kings.

He was the laughing stock of the glamorous T20 tournament in 2020, recording just 108 runs in 13 innings at a pitiful strike rate of 101.88 — incredibly, he couldn’t even muster a six in the United Arab Emirates.

Punjab understandably released Maxwell, unsatisfied with the Victorian’s contribution to the franchise.

He was snapped up by the Royal Challengers in February’s IPL Auction for a whopping AUD $2.5 million, and seemingly feels more at home in Kohli’s side.

Rather than treating him as a late pinch-hitter, Bangalore elevated Maxwell up the order to No. 4, which proved a masterstroke — he currently sits as the IPL’s highest run-scorer.

Maxwell and AB in full flow 🤤🤤🤤 unbelievable!

— Liam Livingstone (@liaml4893) April 18, 2021

Almost everybody questioned Maxwell’s auction price! He’s been superb already, not just in the matches but at the practice sessions and team events too! 🙌🏻😊 #RCB#RCBvKKR

— Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) April 18, 2021

Glenn Maxwell is batting with a lot of intent and responsibility in IPL 2021. His shot selection has been much better and this can well be his best IPL season yet. #RCBvKKR#RCBvsKKR#GlennMaxwell

— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) April 18, 2021

MOST RUNS IN IPL 2021

Glenn Maxwell (RCB) — 176 @ 58.66

Nitish Rana (KKR) — 137 @ 68.50

AB de Villiers (RCB) — 125 @ 62.50

Sanju Samson (RR) — 123 @ 61.50

Jonny Bairstow (SRH) — 110 @ 36.66

*Correct as of Sunday, April 18 at 10pm AEST

Before Thursday’s explosive knock against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Maxwell had not passed fifty in the IPL since 2016. He has since managed the feat twice in four days.

Australian paceman Pat Cummins eventually ended Maxwell’s crusade in the 16th over with a well-directed bouncer caught at short fine leg.

“It was nice to get in there early and catch in on that Powerplay while the ball’s still hard,” Maxwell said during the innings break.

“We just tried to take on the spin as much as we could, give ourselves as many wickets as possible at the back-end.”