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The 39th match of ODI World Cup 2023 between Australia and Afghanistan at Wankhede Stadium will be etched in cricket history forever for Glenn Maxwell’s extraordinary double century that single-handedly led the Aussie side to a thrilling victory from the brink of defeat. While the entire cricketing fraternity lauded Maxwell’s incredible feat, India star Virat Kohli also joined in to share a heartfelt message in celebration of the Australian all-rounder’s historic achievement.
Glenn Maxwell’s heroic innings
Maxwell’s heroics came when Australia found themselves in a dire situation at 91-7 while chasing a challenging target of 291. In a true display of unwavering determination and extraordinary talent, Maxwell turned the game around, leaving fans and experts alike in awe. What made this innings even more special was Maxwell’s resilience in the face of cramps, refusing to give up and carrying his team to a remarkable victory.
Cricket legends applaud Maxwell’s breathtaking knock
Cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Adam Gilchrist, Virender Sehwag, and Albie Morkel showered praise on Maxwell for his unreal performance. Moreover, the Aussie cricketer’s extraordinary innings even garnered the admiration of his peers including Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Ben Stokes and many others.
Virat Kohli’s heartwarming message
Among the accolades, Virat, the former captain of the Indian cricket team and Maxwell’s teammate at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), took to his Instagram to share a heartwarming story. He posted a picture of Maxwell from the match and wrote, “Only you could do this. Freak,” followed by a brain fade and love emoji. The message by India star exemplified the camaraderie and mutual respect shared among both players
Also READ: Glenn Maxwell’s wife Vini shares an emotional post after her husband smashes records at the Wankhede
Maxwell’s gracious response
Maxwell, in turn, reciprocated the love and respect. He even shared a story on his Instagram that featured a post from RCB, drawing parallels between Virat’s brilliant unbeaten 82 not out against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 and Maxwell’s double century against Afghanistan.
Match highlights
Afghanistan’s decent batting performance
Asked to bat first, Ibrahim Zadran was the standout performer for Afghanistan, notching an impressive unbeaten century. Rahmat Shah and Rashid Khan also contributed significantly, setting up a competitive total of 291/5.
Maxwell’s brilliant comeback
Australia’s chase began on a shaky note, with early wickets falling rapidly. But in the face of adversity, Maxwell emerged as the saviour. His double century, scoring 201 runs off just 128 balls, with twenty-one fours and ten sixes, showcased exceptional power-hitting. Maxwell’s brilliance not only rekindled hope for Australia but also silenced the critics.
As the match reached its climax, Afghanistan fought valiantly, keeping the contest neck and neck. However, in the end, it was Maxwell’s brilliance and composure under pressure that prevailed, securing a win in the final moments of the game.
