‘IPL form irrelevant’: Usman Khawaja backs Glenn Maxwell ahead of T20 World Cup

Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja expressed that Glenn Maxwell will perform well in the T20 World Cup 2024, which begins next month. 

The Australian cricketer did not perform well in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where the all rounder scored only 52 runs in nine innings.

In the ODI World Cup 2023, Maxwell gave a commendable performance, scoring 400 runs in total and Australia has high expectations from the all-rounder in the T20 World Cup next month.

Khawaja has asked his teammate to maintain this approach in the upcoming tournament.

“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.

Moreover, Maxwell did not play the warm-up match against Namibia, as he is yet to join the squad.

During the IPL, Maxwell was unable to score runs, however he performed well with the ball when needed. In 10 matches, he bagged six wickets at an average of 21.50 and an economy of 8.06.

Similarly, in the upcoming World Cup, along with the spinners, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, Maxwell could be impactful for their team with the ball in hand.