It Is Not A Problem With The Player's Skills: Mohammad Kaif Underlines Why Glenn Maxwell Struggles In IPL

Former Indian middle-order batsman Mohammad Kaif has been stunned by Glenn Maxwell’s success for Australia and compared the same with his IPL performances. Glenn Maxwell put on display some outrageous shots in the white-ball leg against India this summer even as he came off a torrid IPL 2020 season. Mohammad Kaif reveals what holds the all-rounder back in the cash-rich league.

Glenn Maxwell, who Kings XI Punjab brought for INR 10.5 crores ahead of IPL 2020, suffered a nosedive. The 32-year old, who is a designated six-hitter, could not hit a single one in the latest season and managed only 108 runs in 13 matches. It constituted a strike rate of 101.89 and an average of 15.43. In contrast, hammered three half-centuries in three ODIs against India and one in the T20 internationals.

Mohammad Kaif understands that most people hope that Glenn Maxwell will come all guns blazing in the IPL, having played at almost every batting position. The 40-year old believes that Maxwell is more under pressure because four overseas players could slot in the playing XI, resulting in more competition between them.

“It is absolutely amazing. Everyone has the hope that he will fire in the IPL, that he will do well this year. You make him open, play him at No.3 or No.4, he gets an opportunity at every position. Probably he feels more pressure in the IPL because only four foreign players can play and seven Indians. So, the competition between foreign players is high,” Kaif told Sony Sports Network.

He is able to play the reverse sweeps, switch hits: Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif observed that since IPL 2020, returning to Australia, the Victorian’s show with the bat has sparked a massive difference. Kaif pointed out that Maxwell can play outrageous shots like that of reverse-sweeps and switch-hits in whichever angle he wants to with ease. Hence, as far as IPL goes, the trouble remains in the mindset and not the player’s skill.

“But once he comes back home, it has just been two-three weeks since the IPL in UAE, there is such a huge difference. He is able to play the reverse sweeps, switch hits and is able to hit shots in whichever angle he wants. So, it is not a problem with the player’s skills but probably a problem with the mindset in the IPL,” he added.

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