"I took 40 balls to get off the mark. He has scored a hundred in 40 balls" - Sunil Gavaskar hails Glenn Maxwell for record century against Netherlands
Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar praised Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell following his scintillating 106 off 44 deliveries against the Netherlands in Delhi on October 25.
Maxwell became the fastest World Cup centurion, reaching the milestone off a mere 40 deliveries. He also broke the record for the fastest 100 by an Aussie batter in ODIs. Maxwell's heroics took Australia from a 320-330 range to a mammoth 399/8 in 50 overs.
Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar was amazed by Glenn Maxwell's shot-making. He cheekily remarked the batter scored a century in the no. of balls, which he took to get off the mark.
"This one (Reverse hit) has got to be one of the greatest cricketing shots," Gavaskar said. "It's gone for a six. It should be a 12. The bowling after that got a bit rattled because they just didn't know where to bowl. It was an incredible effort.
"He had an average of 12, to score the runs that he did and at the rate at which he did. It was amazing. I took 40 balls to get off the mark. He has scored a hundred in 40 balls, amazing, amazing."
Sunil Gavaskar was among the most accomplished Test batters during his playing days. He is infamously remembered for his 174-ball 36 against England in the 1975 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Maxwell boasts an incredible career ODI strike rate of 125.38 in 134 games.
"He was in control from ball 1" - Shane Watson
Glenn Maxwell's former Australian teammate Shane Watson praised the mercurial batter's ability to initially play straight and in control before launching into his diverse strokeplay.
The 35-year-old scored the fourth fastest century in ODI cricket and became the first batter to score a hundred after coming to bat in the 40th over.
"Just about everything (Was special)," Watson remarked. "To be able to see the way he started off today after a disappointing knock against Pakistan. He learned from that, trying to launch the first ball into the stands.
"He was in control from Ball 1. And then once he put the foot down, like we have seen many times in his career, it's absolute madness, an absolute six fest."
Glenn Maxwell had a highest score of only 31* in his six ODIs this year at an average of 12.40 before the sparkling knock against the Netherlands. Despite his impressive off-spin bowling, the match-winning batter struggled with the willow since returning from his leg injury.
Meanwhile, Australia has won three consecutive matches on the bounce following a 0-2 start to their 2023 World Cup campaign.
They will take on New Zealand in a crucial encounter in Dharamsala on Saturday, October 28.