Glenn Maxwell has explained his decision to take an indefinite leave from IPL duties, revealing he needs a “mental and physical break” from cricket.
The star all-rounder had struggled for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the early stages of the tournament and was left out of the XI for the side’s loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Maxwell has now revealed it was his own decision to step away following a tough stretch that included three ducks in six innings in the T20 league.
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“After the first few games hadn’t gone to plan personally for me, it was a pretty easy decision,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“I went to [captain Faf du Plessis] and the coaches last game and said it was time to probably try someone else. I have been in this situation before in the past, where you can keep playing and dig yourself into a hole.
“Now is actually the best time to give myself a mental and physical break.
“With our results this year, it was quite an easy decision. We haven’t been playing as well as we would have liked as a team, and the results show that.
“My personal results have reflected the results we have had. I felt like I wasn’t contributing in a positive way and it felt like, with the position we find ourselves at the table, to give someone else the opportunity.”
At this stage, Maxwell is expected to remain in India with the playing group and could make himself available again later in the campaign.
Maxwell had managed just 32 runs across his six knocks, while his efforts with the ball had been mixed, taking four wickets.
His form had been criticised by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, who questioned Maxwell’s ability to play in the conditions.
“He has been unable to play fast bowling, period,” he told Star Sports. Star Sports this week.
“Balls bouncing to his chest or shoulder height are troubling him. He can whack every ball below his waist height, but not the ones above that.”
The 35-year-old is still expected to feature for Australia in this year’s T20 World Cup.