Glenn Maxwell mystery in the spotlight as Aussie falls agonisingly short

Millimetres stood between Glenn Maxwell and a shot at victory as the cricket world questioned a bizarre call involving the Aussie all-rounder.

Close but no cigar for Glenn Maxwell.

Glenn Maxwell was left shattered after falling millimetres short of sending his side’s latest Indian Premier League clash to a super over.

Kolkata Knight Riders escaped with a thrilling two-run win over Maxwell’s Kings XI Punjab when the Aussie all-rounder could only muster a four off the final delivery, rather than the six needed to tie the match force it into overtime.

Watch every match of the 2020 IPL Season LIVE on Fox Sports with Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

Chasing Kolkata’s 6/164, Maxwell thumped Sunil Narine’s last ball over cover but it fell just short of the boundary rope, rather than clearing it for the necessary maximum.

The on-field umpire called a four and replays confirmed he was dead right as Kings XI reflected on what might have been.

Maxwell’s tweet after the match summed it up, writing “Shattered …#gameofinches” with a sad face emoji.

Earlier in the final over, Maxwell slapped a reverse sweep to the boundary to keep the chase alive and he finished unbeaten on 10 from five balls.

However, plenty were questioning why Kings XI kept him in the dugout for so long when his electric strokeplay was needed during the chase. The Victorian only came in at No. 5 after Prabhsimran Singh — who scored four off seven balls — was mysteriously promoted above him.

RELATED: Cult hero channels Warne in magic moment

RELATED: Ponting backflips after taking a stand

Maxwell was crushed to fall just short.

Renowned Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted: “Part of the post-mortem in the @lionsdenkxip camp will centre around Prabhsimran ahead of Maxwell in that situation.”

Bhogle added he “couldn’t fathom that” when asked by former Australian star Tom Moody on Twitter about Maxwell being kept back.

Moody himself said on social media: “Maxwell held back?? Yes a game of inches but it’s a game of decisions as well!!”

Cricket writer and broadcaster Adam Collins added: “Lol, bringing a kid in ahead of Maxi then losing by an inch?”

Kings XI openers KL Rahul (74 off 58 balls) and Mayank Agarwal (56 off 39) set the foundation with a 115-run partnership but Maxwell was left with too much to do as his team fell agonisingly short despite having five wickets still in hand.

Earlier, Shubman Gill scored 57 from 47 deliveries at the top of the order for Kolkata before captain Dinesh Karthik finished the innings off in style with a blistering 58 from 29 to set up the competitive total.