'It's Not One Of The Greatest…': Ganguly On Maxwell's Miraculous Innings Against AFG
Glenn Maxwell [PC: X]
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly shed his views on Glenn Maxwell's magnificent innings to pull off an astonishing chase for Australia against Afghanistan in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Maxwell, who found his team 7 down with only 91 on the board while chasing 292, played a remarkable innings, scoring 201* off 128 and took Australia across the line.
The Big Show came out to bat at six and went on to do something which goes beyond human capabilities. Despite suffering from painful cramps, exhaustion and a struggling back, Maxwell managed to stand his ground and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Pat Cummins, at 9, played a perfect second fiddle to the Maxwell mayhem as the duo added an unbeaten 202 runs to take Australia home and become third team to qualify for the semi-finals after India and South Africa.
Ganguly's interesting take on Maxwell's knock
The Director of Cricket of Delhi Capitals, Sourav Ganguly is currently present in the 4-day training camp of Delhi Capitals in Kolkata ahead of the forthcoming IPL 2024. Speaking to the media on the ground, Ganguly expressed his admiration to Maxwell's innings against Afghanistan, stating, "Fantastic Innings".
"Fantastic innings. Not the best of bowling and captaincy but a fantastic innings," Ganguly said.
As Maxwell battled cramps, Afghanistan bowlers failed to make things difficult for the all-rounder as he was gifted with some ordinary bowling towards the later half of the chase. Some of his shots he hit were virtually on one leg and the Afghan bowlers kept bowling him on the slot.
On being asked about if it was one of the greatest innings, Ganguly denied and claimed that he has seen many better innings than that in his lifetime.
"No. I have seen some fantastic innings. From Sachin and Virat. This is (Maxwell's innings) tremendous and good because of the situation he was in, with cramps, he cannot run, batting with number nine and keep hitting sixes," Ganguly added.
For many, Maxwell's innings against Afghanistan is the greatest innings ever played in the 50-over format. Even the great Sachin Tendulkar admitted and acknowledged the fact that he has never seen something like this.
However, there are many who did admire the kind of grit Maxwell showed and continued despite the extreme physical setbacks but maybe to call it the undisputed best innings ever is a bit far fetched for them.
 "Kaushik Kashyap")
