IPL 2025: Glenn Maxwell has managed just 48 runs in 7 games — why do franchises continue to back him? Is it time to look beyond the star all-rounder?
Aussie star Glenn Maxwell is always a hot property in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions despite his inconsistent performances. Hence, it was no surprise when franchisees had a mini-bidding war before Punjab Kings (PBKS) bought him for Rs 4.2 crore in the 2025 IPL Auctions.
However, his new owner might have regretted the decision as the all-rounder could manage just 48 runs and 4 wickets in 7 matches this IPL season before he was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a finger injury. His strike rate was below 100 for the first time in an IPL season where he played five or more matches.
During the ongoing IPL season, Maxwell was picked up, dropped, and again drafted in the XI with the hope that the aggressive batter will turn out for the day. But it was not meant to be. A look at Maxwell’s performance this season shows that the Aussie looked completely out of touch and was in a hurry to get the big shots going. Hence, even before he could get his eyes in, he attempted those ramp shots, reverse sweep, scoops and all. But he failed to get going.
A look at his past performances in IPL shows that Maxwell is a highly unpredictable player as it is difficult to predict if the all-rounder will be among the runs or will fail with the bat again.
Read More: Brilliant in first game, ordinary in next nine: Ishan Kishan, a buy went wrong for SRH in IPL 2025?
Here is a look at Maxwell’s performances in the last five IPL seasons
RCB’s gamble on Maxwell
In 2021, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had taken a gamble on Maxwell after he was released by Punjab Kings. Maxwell scored 513 runs that season – only the second time he had crossed 500 runs in 13 IPL seasons.
He was finally able to call RCB his home as he got support from both players and the team management. But the runs started diminishing, and after a horrific 2024 season where Maxwell just managed 52 runs in 10 matches, RCB finally gave up, and released the all-rounder.
But he still found a buyer in his old team, Punjab Kings, who went on to pay 4.2 crore INR for his services in IPL 2025 hoping to find a finisher in him. But his performance this season has left PBKS high and dry.
So, despite the apparent inconsistent show, why franchisees continue to root for him?
His strike rate, impact cameos & game-changing ability
Runs may not flow consistently from Maxwell’s bat, but the Aussie has the skills to play impact innings that can change the course of the game. His overall strike rate in IPL is 155.15. So, even if he makes those impact cameos of 20-30 odd runs at a strike rate of 150 or above, the job is done.
Out of the 13 IPL seasons he has played, Maxwell enjoys a strike rate of above 140 in seven seasons. He had a breakthrough season in 2014 IPL where his strike rate was 187.75 aggregating 552 runs as PBKS ended runners-up. In the 2023 season with RCB, his strike rate was 183.49 aggregating 400 runs.
It is his high-risk, high-reward kind of cricket that makes franchises to root for him as impact cameos lower down the order can decide the outcome of the match. Despite the inconsistencies, if Maxwell wins a match or two with his impact cameos lower down the order, he has served his team. However, the unpredictable Maxwell could not repeat the same this season with PBKS.
Read More: Venkatesh Iyer has underwhelmed in IPL 2025 with ordinary returns; Was KKR right in buying him back?
Reliable off-spinner
Also, Glenn Maxwell is a bankable off-spinner with a knack of breaking partnerships and taking crucial wickets. Hence, captains tend to give him an over or two in powerplay itself or during a threatening stand as he can bring out mistakes from the batters, and take wickets. This season, he took 4 wickets and each wicket was crucial in the context of the game. In the thrilling win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Mullanpur, he dismissed the dangerous Venkatesh Iyer to pave way for YS Chahal to run through the tailenders and pull of an unlikely win.
What ails Maxwell now
On his day, Maxwell can destroy the best bowling attack of the world or pull off a heist from the jaws of defeat. Remember his 201* against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Australia were down and out at 91/7 chasing 292 for a win. But battling cramps, and playing with one fit leg, Maxwell single-handedly pulled off a win. It reignited self-belief in the Australia’s camp as they went on to win their sixth ODI World Cup title.
However, with age not by his side, injuries plaguing him, and not being regular to the national team, Maxwell has been robbed of playing time to stay relevant to the dynamics of the T20 cricket. Maxwell is not even part of the T20I team or Test squad, but finds a place in ODIs. Except for Big Bash League and IPL, Maxwell does not get to play regular cricket, and hence, this lack of match time has affected his game.
In a bid to score quick runs, Maxwell is rushing through his shots straight away while he is still new to the crease, and losing his wickets to ugly-looking shots. Lack of professional cricket is showing on Maxwell’s game, and it can be argued that the all-rounder has passed his prime, and time for franchisees to look beyond him.
Read More: Prasidh Krishna: The most improved player on show in IPL 2025
