High expectations not fazing Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell is confident he can live up to fan expectations and back up his spectacular form from the 2014 edition of the Indian Premier League.

The allrounder was at the centre of Kings XI Punjab’s success last season, propelling his team into the IPL 2014 final after five successive seasons of finishing outside the playoffs.

Maxwell top-scored for Punjab and finished third on the overall IPL run-scorers’ charts with 552 runs at an outstanding strike-rate of 187.7.

Now, Maxwell returns to the IPL a World Cup winner in a purple patch of form, having been instrumental in Australia lifting the trophy.

The 324 runs Maxwell scored in the tournament came at an average of 64.8 and a strike-rate of 182.

Image Id: ~/media/B108E2CA827F416480DBED7020E7FB11Glenn Maxwell bats for Kings XI Punjab // BCCI

As a result, expectations are high and Maxwell knows it.

“The scenario is definitely a bit different now,” Maxwell told Times of India.

“We are coming here after the World Cup and there's this high of becoming world champions with Australia. The expectations are obviously very high after the season I had last year.

 “I don't like to quantify my aims for IPL 8 but I hope to keep on doing what the team needs from me.”

Maxwell has not set the world alight in his first two outings in IPL 2015, producing scores of seven and six, but said he realised he needed to spend more time at the crease before exhibiting his full array of strokes.

 “You just play according to the situation and that is probably what I have not done very well so far (in the tournament). I have not given myself enough time to get in but I am sure as the tournament goes I will hit my straps," he said.

Maxwell had similarly difficult start to the 2014-15 season in Australia, with his most notable failure an extraordinary dismissal in the KFC T20 Big Bash League when he exposed all three stumps and left the ball to be clean bowled.

Glenn Maxwell's unbelievable leave

"The season definitely didn't start off too well. But after the BBL, I think I have been in pretty good form,” Maxwell said.

“That [BBL leave] dismissal hasn't changed my mindset at all. I have been hitting the ball well and my confidence is high coming into this tournament.”

The allrounder was Australia’s third-highest scorer in the Carlton Mid ODI tri-series in January before he scored his maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka during the World Cup.

The 26-year-old said he felt fortunate to be playing in IPL 2015 alongside Kings XI Punjab teammate Virender Sehwag.

“It has been a great experience to play with legends of the game such as Viru (Sehwag),” Maxwell said.

“We have our regular chats about the game and the way we go about it. He always tells me about sticking to your game no matter what and back your instincts, and not worry about the external rubbish that goes on.”

Maxwell’s next outing for Punjab will be against Delhi Daredevils on Wednesday.