India’s batting
talisman Virat Kohli heaped praise on star Australia all-rounder and his Royal
Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate, Glenn Maxwell, for a knock for the ages
that helped five-time champions Australia seal a spot in the semifinals of the
ongoing ODI World Cup.
Coming into bat
with Australia staring down the barrel chasing an imposing 292 against
Afghanistan at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Maxwell singlehandedly took the Baggy
Greens to a famous win with an unbeaten double-century.
Battling cramps
and niggles, the ‘Mad Max’ of cricket produced an innings that will undoubtedly
remain in public memory for years to come.
Over the course of
his superlative knock, he also became the first non-opener in men’s ODIs to
make a double hundred.
His knock of 201
off 128 balls which is already being hailed as one of the best in ODI history,
was laced with 21 fours and 10 sixes. He brought up the winning runs with his
10th six.
After a mediocre
start to the campaign at the beginning of last month, Australia posted its
sixth straight win in the ongoing World Cup against Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Lauding his
brother from RCB for his ‘freak’ show at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Kohli
took to his Instagram story and posted a special post for Maxwell.
Sharing an image
of ‘Big Show’ Maxwell, Kohli wrote, “Only you could do this. Freak.”
Many cricketers
praised Maxwell’s ODI innings as one of the best in the format’s history.
Batting stalwart Sachin Tendulkar called the innings the “best ODI knock”.
“A wonderful knock
by @IZadran18to put Afghanistan in a good position. They started well in the
2nd half and played good cricket for 70 overs but the last 25 overs from
@Gmaxi_32 was more than enough to change their fortune. From Max pressure to
Max performance! This has been the best ODI knock I’ve seen in my life.
#AUSvAFG,” Sachin posted from his X handle.
Maxwell was almost
forced to retire due to multiple cramps and lingering back spasms, but he
defied his physical discomfort to produce a sensational innings.
Maxwell scored 78
runs off just 33 balls, staying rooted to the crease but wielding his willow to
great effect, finding boundaries at will.
He singlehandedly
lifted the Aussies from a precarious 91/7 to a three-wicket victory over
Afghanistan, which was enough to seal their place in the last four.
ANI
