Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has confirmed that he will not feature in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) — raising the big question: is this the end of his IPL journey?
Maxwell Pulls Out of IPL 2026 Auction
On Tuesday, Maxwell announced that he has withdrawn his name from the IPL 2026 player auction. This will be the first season he misses since 2019.
Sharing an emotional message on Instagram, Maxwell wrote:
“After many unforgettable seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name in the auction this year. It’s a big call, and one made with a lot of gratitude for everything this league has given me.”
He added that the IPL helped shape him “as a cricketer and as a person,” praising his teammates, franchises, and the electrifying Indian crowd.
“Hopefully see you soon,” Maxwell concluded — hinting that this may not be a permanent goodbye.
Struggles in IPL 2025 Prompted Exit
Maxwell was released by Punjab Kings after a disappointing IPL 2025 season, scoring just 48 runs and registering single-digit scores in his final four innings. He also took four wickets in six matches before a fractured finger ruled him out mid-season.
Punjab Kings had re-signed Maxwell for INR 4.2 crore, marking his third stint with the franchise after earlier spells between 2014–2017 and again in 2021.
A Glittering But Declining IPL Career
Across 13 IPL seasons, Maxwell has scored 2,819 runs at a strike rate of 155.15. His peak came in 2014, smashing 552 runs at a staggering strike rate of 187.8 — one of the best individual seasons in IPL history.
However, the past few years have seen a steep dip. Over his last 15 IPL innings, he has managed just 100 runs at an average of 6.67.
Ponting Explains Punjab’s Decision to Release Maxwell
Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that the franchise wasn’t able to get the best out of Maxwell in 2025 and didn’t see him fitting into their starting XI for IPL 2026.
“Love Glenn and what he brings to the game. Unfortunately, last year we weren’t able to get the best out of him. Looking ahead, we didn’t feel he would be part of our starting team, so we decided to release him,” Ponting said on Star Sports.
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