Former Australian cricketer Callum Ferguson has passionately defended compatriot Glenn Maxwell amidst claims of being ‘the most overrated player in IPL’. Callum Ferguson, highlighting Glenn Maxwell’s prowess, put up striking stats with those of Brendon McCullum and Rohit Sharma to challenge the criticism.
Callum Ferguson, a former Australian cricketer, shone in all three formats, scoring consistently in domestic matches. Despite amassing over 9000 runs across First-Class and List-A cricket, injuries limited his international appearances. He retired from First-Class cricket in 2021, but his domestic career continues strong. Currently playing for South Australia, he boasts an impressive average in the T20 format, with an aggressive batting style, scoring runs quickly with a strike rate exceeding 124.
Parthiv Patel, a former Indian cricketer and commentator, sparked controversy by calling Glenn Maxwell, the Australian all-rounder playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, the “most overrated player in the history of IPL.” This comment came after a match where Maxwell scored only 4 runs. Patel’s remark was widely debated. Some fans agreed with him, pointing to Maxwell’s inconsistency. Others criticized Patel for being harsh, especially considering RCB won the match despite Maxwell’s low score. The debate also highlighted the pressure faced by IPL players and the scrutiny they receive from commentators and fans.
Glenn Maxwell’s Performance in IPL 2024
In this season’s IPL, Glenn Maxwell’s batting struggles have seen him spend time on the bench, having scored a mere 36 runs in eight matches at an average of 5.14, despite his hefty 11 Crore paycheck from RCB. His indecision between aggression and defense has notably impacted the team’s performance.
Maxwell’s opportunity for redemption came during RCB’s chase against Gujarat Titans, with the team set a modest target of 147 after a stellar bowling display. However, despite a promising start to his innings and a boundary early on, Maxwell faltered, falling victim to Joshua Little’s bowling in the eighth over, adding to his disappointing campaign. Adding to this poor performance, he was benched in RCB’s last match again PBKS.
Callum Ferguson On Glenn Maxwell
Parthiv Patel’s remarks on Maxwell sparked a diverse range of reactions from both experts and fans. Nonetheless, former Australian cricketer Callum Ferguson swiftly stepped in to defend Maxwell, asserting that such a statement was uncalled for.
During an ESPNCricinfo show, Callum Ferguson supported Maxwell by highlighting his impressive track record despite often batting at the challenging positions of number 5 or 6. He drew comparisons with prominent players in the tournament to emphasise Maxwell’s value and contributions.
The former Aussie player said,
“I don’t think there is any need for that sort of statement. When you look at some IPL players that have played over a long period, I look at Glenn Maxwell’s record in IPL cricket, 132 games, averaging 25 at a strike rate of 156. They’re pretty good numbers for a guy who bats predominantly at 5-6,”
Ferguson even cited the illustrious records of Brendon McCullum and current Indian captain Rohit Sharma in the tournament, crediting Maxwell for his impressive strike rate in comparison.
He added,
“When we look at Brendon McCullum’s career, 109 games averaging at 27.5 and a strike-rate of 131. Rohit Sharma, 255 games averaging 29.5 at 131. It depends on where you’re batting. Now Glenn’s numbers are quite often, he’s gonna go through a run of outs from time to time, so his average might be a bit low but his strike rate is through the roof,”
Reviewing the records, Ferguson suggested that Maxwell, on his best days, can single-handedly win games for his team. He concluded by asserting that Parthiv’s statements were far from accurate, as he said,
“So he wins you games when he gets going, just like the other two but the numbers look different. For me that statement, I just don’t like it, unnecessary and certainly not something I believe is anywhere the right mark,”
As the season approaches its crucial phase, RCB might find themselves in a scenario where Maxwell’s performance becomes pivotal, with the franchise banking on him to step up and drive them towards the playoffs.