Pujara Backs PBKS' Call To Drop Maxwell: 'He Got Enough Opportunities This Season'

For any side in world cricket, there will always be the temptation to pick Glenn Maxwell regardless of his form with the bat, but after a solitary score over 10 in five innings in IPL 2025, Punjab Kings decided enough was enough and benched Maxwell for the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 18 (Friday).

And while Punjab did not have the greatest of days with the bat in hand, they still managed to get over the line without Maxwell, while putting in an outstanding showing with the ball in hand.

Cheteshwar Pujara backed the Kings’ call to axe Maxwell, claiming that this could prove to be a ‘wake up call’ for the Aussie superstar.

“He hasn’t been performing well and this was an important game for Punjab. Stoinis can make the same contribution, he can bowl 1 or 2 overs if need be. When someone is out of form, you can’t just rely on them. He [Maxwell] has got enough opportunities this season,” Pujara said on ESPNCricinfo.

“This could be a wake up call for him,” Pujara added. 

In the same show, former India batter Ambati Rayudu disagreed with Pujara’s views, claiming that Maxwell is too valuable a cricketer to be axed abruptly. 

“Quite surprised,” Rayudu said of Maxwell’s omission. 

“Because he’s been bowling well. Also you need a fielder like Maxi on the ground. Sometimes I wonder how these decisions are made, I don’t know. I think Maxi should have been playing this shortened game,” Rayudu said.

Maxwell averages a shocking 6.64 across his last 14 IPL innings. He has, in this period, crossed the 20-run mark just twice.