Photographs: BCCI Harish Kotian
Glenn Maxwell continues to be an enigma in the ongoing Indian Premier League.
Just a couple of months ago, the Australian all-rounder was touted as one of Mumbai Indians' key players after being snapped by the franchise at the IPL Players' Auctions in February for a mammoth $1 million.
Yes, the most expensive purchase at the auction. But despite the huge money spent to sign him up, Maxwell does not figure in the team's plans and continues to warm the benches.
The 24-year-old was ignored by Mumbai Indians for the first nine matches in the ongoing sixth edition of the tournament and may continue to be consigned to the bench, but for a huge change in the mindset of the team management in the latter stages of the tournament.Not-too-impressive record
Photographs: BCCI
Indeed, it was surprising that Mumbai choose to pay so much for him in the auctions despite a not-too-impressive record at the international level.
Maxwell made a name for himself in Australian domestic cricket by his ability to bowl useful overs of off-spin and clear the boundaries with easy batting. His claim to fame was the 19-ball half-century he hit for Victoria against Tasmania in 2010-11, the fastest ever in Australian domestic cricket.
He also gave a good account of his abilities during his stint in English county cricket last season for Hampshire in the T20 competition, after which he was selected to the Australian national team.
But he has struggled to make it count on the big stage. He played two Tests in India, where his bowling was no better than ordinary, and it became evident he was not cut out for the longer version.Mumbai have two experienced spinners in Ojha and Harbhajan
Photographs: BCCI
In ODIs too, he is yet to make a mark, having scored 202 runs in 11 matches while claiming six wickets at an average of 52.
It is hard to believe that Mumbai Indians shelled out a million dollars to secure his services, especially when they already have two good experienced spinners in Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh.
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also got a game ahead of Maxwell.
Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani undertakes a lot of charity work and the million dollar wasted on Maxwell could have well benefitted some of her charities. In the age of economic crisis and droughts and famines, it is depressing to see a million dollars go waste.
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