"IPL form is absolutely irrelevant" - Usman Khawaja backs Glenn Maxwell to thrive at 2024 T20 World Cup
Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja feels that Glenn Maxwell's horrid 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign will have no bearing on his 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. The all-rounder endured a forgettable season with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), scoring only 52 runs in nine innings at an average of 5.78 and a strike rate of 120.93.
Maxwell was replaced by England all-rounder Will Jacks midway through the season. He returned to the playing XI at the back end of the tournament but failed to impress as RCB were eliminated in the playoffs.
Maxwell had a huge say in Australia's recent 2023 ODI World Cup triumph and the nation expects big things from him in the premier tournament of his favored format.
Khawaja backed Maxwell to maintain the same approach and opined that he is only one good innings away from returning to his best.
“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," Khawaja told the West Australian.
"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," the veteran opener added.
Maxwell was not part of Australia's warm-up contest against Namibia in Trinidad, as he is yet to join the squad.
Glenn Maxwell has a crucial role to play with the ball as well for Australia at the 2024 T20 World Cup
Although his impact for RCB with the bat was absent, he did make a decent contribution with the ball when needed.
Maxwell chipped in with six wickets in 10 matches at an average of 21.50 and an economy of 8.06. He bowled a crucial spell of 1-25 in RCB's must-win encounter against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), which guaranteed them a place in the playoffs.
Similarly, he could make an impact on the slow Caribbean surfaces for the national side. Although Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar mark their presence in the side as specialist spinners, Maxwell could also have a say if the opposition responds with matchups.