Maxwell lights up the IPL, again

Watch replay: View here

Full scorecard: View here

He’s done it again. Australian Glenn Maxwell has top-scored to lead his undefeated Kings XI Punjab side to a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.

Kings XI Punjab’s 6-193 proved more than enough for the George Bailey-led team, which was sent in after Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss.

Sunrisers Hyderabad were knocked over for 121 with Lakshmipathy Balaji taking four wickets.

Maxwell, coming off scores of 95 and 89 in the first two matches, scored another 95.

His innings included nine sixes and five fours, but he had lady luck on his side tonight.

Maxwell was dropped by compatriot David Warner on 11 and was caught when on 62, only for the decision to be overturned after video replays showed Darren Sammy had overstepped the mark.

The Victorian was particularly brutal on spinner Amit Mishra, who finished with the inglorious figures of 2-56 from his four overs.

Image Id: ~/media/B73EFE0A3E4F459E9A21831A0432859D

Maxwell is the top-scorer in this edition of the IPL, has hit the most sixes and owns the three highest scores of the tournament.

His strike rate is 213 and he's hit 28 fours and 17 sixes.

Maxwell’s innings was the cherry on the sundae after openers Cheteshwar Pujara (35 off 32) and Virender Sehwag (30 off 22) combined for a quickfire 51-run opening stand.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the bowlers for Sunrisers Hyderabad with 3-19.

Sunrisers Hyderabad were poor in response, with opener and captain Shikhar Dhawan edging one through to the keeper from Mitchell Johnson’s first over for one.

Aaron Finch, the world’s No.1 ranked T20 batsman, showed some aggression early but he was bowled by Balaji for 19 off 15 after striking two fours and a six.

Image Id: ~/media/572ABDD547164CBE8C782E560AAD36AC

His Australian opening partner, Warner, was caught by Maxwell for eight off 12 deliveries.

Sunrisers Hyderabad didn’t offer much resistance thereafter, with Kannaur Rahul leading his team with 27 and Sammy making 15 - which included a 99-metre six. 

Johnson finished with figures of 2-26 from his four overs while Balaji became the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with his 4-13 also the best figures so far.

Kings XI Punjab are on top of the table with three consecutive wins, while Sunrisers Hyderabad slump to 0-2.

Sunrisers Hyderabad face Delhi Daredevils (1-2) in their next match on Friday, with Kevin Pietersen likely to return from injury for the Daredevils.

Kings XI Punjab square off with Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday morning, Australian time.

Image Id: ~/media/FF478BA99F1942D6BBE854A92C9D90A5