Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has urged Punjab Kings to drop Glenn Maxwell for the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Tuesday.
Maxwell has managed only 30 runs in four innings of IPL 2025 at an average of 8.50 and a strike rate of 109.67 and thus hasn’t been able to deliver the goods for the Mohali-based franchise.
“The way Punjab played in the last match, I think there is no reason to actually let up. Just keep playing like this. Keep swinging your bat, whether it’s Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh or Marcus Stoinis,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“I would say drop Glenn Maxwell. You are not playing Glenn Maxwell, the bowler, although he might score runs today since I am asking you to drop him. However, he is not playing as a bowler,” he added.
The renowned commentator feels PBKS might still back Glenn Maxwell and they would play him against KKR.
“He is bowling well. I understand you get an off-spinner, and you will also have left-handers in the opposition this time. You will get Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock at the top and Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer later. So you are not going to drop him in this match. However, Maxwell sahab, I request you with folded hands to score runs,” he reasoned.
Chopra reckons Maxwell’s place in the playing XI could be in jeopardy as players like Moeen Ali and Josh Inglis are waiting in the wings.
“What’s the point if you are not going to score runs? They are playing you matches continuously, and Josh Inglis is sitting outside. He is a consistent batter and scores runs. Please score runs this time, although the job will be difficult as Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine will be in front of him, and Moeen Ali might also play,” Chopra observed.
Though Maxwell has failed to deliver with the bat, he has scalped three wickets in five matches at an average of 35 and an economy rate of 9.54.
