Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons Glenn Maxwell bowled his best spell in the entire Indian Premier League against Chennai Super Kings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association
Stadium, Pune on Wednesday. Maxwell returned with an impressive spell of 2-22 in his quota of four overs and played a key role in restricting the opposition at 160-8.
The MCA pitch was providing help to the spinners and Maxwell was right on the money as the sixth bowler. The Australian accounted for Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu, who both are good batters against spin.
Uthappa tried to take the attack against Maxwell but found Suyash Prabhudessai at backward point while Ambati Rayudu’s stumps were disturbed by the off-spinner.
Pathan said on Star Sports, “It was such a good four-over spell, there has not been a better spell in his (Maxwell’s) IPL career. It is the second time he has given 22 or fewer runs, gave 22 runs today and only once before this.”
“He kept on bowling in good areas, bowled with his brain, his control as the sixth bowler was extremely good. There were two off-spinners today, who are not your main bowlers, but who bowled well today – Moeen Ali bowled extremely well for CSK.”
Pathan picked Maxwell’s spell as the turning point in the bowling innings for RCB as the off-spinner scalped two wickets and also kept a lid on the scoring rate.
“The turning point in the bowling came through Maxwell. You expect Harshal Patel, Hazlewood or Hasaranga to come and give the crucial wickets but he (Maxwell) dismissed the two batters who play spin the best.”
On the other hand, former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif added Maxwell’s two wickets were according to plan as he bowled to his field.
“Absolutely, because the two wickets he took here were according to a plan. He went around the stumps and angled the ball across, both batters like to play on the leg side, whether it is Rayudu or Uthappa. He kept the ball away from them, made them play to the offside, placed the fielders there, and got them out.”
RCB will next face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
