In this article, we look at the latest IPL controversy that has erupted after former India opener Virender Sehwag labelled Glenn Maxwell a ’10 crore cheerleader.’ Sehwag made his remarks in his YouTube channel called ‘Viru ki baithak,’ in an obvious reference to Maxwell’s poor IPL season with the bat for Kings XI Punjab.
Glenn Maxwell has been less than amused after former Indian opener Virender Sehwag described the Australian all-rounder as a ’10 crore cheerleader.’ And why would he be? Maxwell reacted saying that Sehwag’s comments had not surprised him at all and that the Nawab of Najafgarh had been just as caustic in his comments to Maxwell in the past.
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Maxwell Reacts in an Interview with the West Australian
g>Speaking to the West Australian, Maxwell is quoted to have said, “It’s ok. Viru is pretty outspoken with his dislike of me, and that’s fine. He’s allowed to say whatever he likes. He’s in the media for such statements, so that’s fine. I deal with that and move on and take it with a grain of salt with Sehwag.”
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Maxwell added that he thought he was better equipped with dealing with such things now. He was glad he had been exposed to Sehwag’s hostile behaviour in the past as it had helped him to build a defence mechanism against adversity.
Disappointing IPL SeDisappointing IPL Season for Glenn
his adverse comments against Maxwell after the Australian had endured a poor IPL season with the bat. His ’10-crore’ ($1.3 million) reference was to the huge sum Punjab had paid to get Maxwell to return to the team he had skippered in the past. But what transpired was a season in which the Australian all-rounder registered the highest score of 32. Even more surprisingly, he did not have a single six in 13 matches played during the season.
In the IPL 2020, Maxwell played 13 matches for Kings XI Punjab and scored 108 runs at 15.42 at a strike rate of 101.88. To put that in perspective, let’s consider his overall record through the years in the IPL. In 82 matches since 2012, Maxwell has scored 1505 runs at 22.13 with six fifties, including his top score of 95 and a strike rate of 154.67. He has also hit 118 fours and 91 sixes in the process.
Maxwell Praised for Maxwell Praised for Dignified Response to Sehwag
Sehwag allude to the huge sum Punjab had invested in Maxwell, but he also added that Maxwell was on a ‘highly paid vacation.’ In his YouTube channel called “Viru ki baithak,” Sehwag is reported to have said, “Glenn Maxwell. This 10 crore cheerleader proved very costly for Punjab.”
Sehwag is reported to have added that Maxwell had been ‘shirking from work’ in his last few years in the IPL, but that in 2020 he had gone beyond shirking and was simply enjoying a vacation at the cost of his franchise.
While Sehwag’s criticism of Maxwell was not without cause, the Australian has earned praise for his muted reaction and refusal to get into a mudslinging game with Sehwag.