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Virender Sehwag, never one to mince words, has once again stirred the pot with his no-holds-barred take on two big-name overseas stars struggling in IPL 2025. The explosive former Indian opener, known as much for his straight talk as for his swashbuckling batting, tore into the duo during a recent appearance on Cricbuzz, questioning their commitment and desire to perform in the tournament.
Virender Sehwag’s blunt take on the overseas players’ performance
Sehwag didn’t sugarcoat his opinion. “Yeh yahaan holiday manane aate hai, holiday banaakar chale jaate hain,” he said bluntly, suggesting that Glenn Maxwell and Lian Livingstone lack the hunger to fight for their teams. Both players were dropped on Sunday following a string of uninspiring performances—Maxwell for Punjab Kings and Livingstone for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. While Romario Shepherd replaced Livingstone in the RCB squad, Maxwell hasn’t featured for PBKS in their recent outings.
The numbers tell a dismal story. Maxwell has managed just 41 runs and 4 wickets this season, a far cry from the match-winner tag he once carried. Livingstone hasn’t fared much better, tallying only 87 runs in the campaign so far. For players once considered game-changers, their current form—and apparent lack of urgency—has prompted scrutiny not just from critics, but now from legends like Sehwag.
Sehwag unable to cite the passion in players
Sehwag’s criticism wasn’t just about numbers; it was a question of intent. He highlighted a deeper issue—what he sees as a lack of “visible desire to fight for the team.” The IPL is more than just a tournament; it’s a battleground where reputations are made and broken. For Maxwell and Livingstone, who have both had match-winning performances in the past, the lack of intensity is glaring.
The former India opener further lamented the modern overseas player’s mindset, pointing out that only a handful genuinely seem invested in the team’s success. “I’ve spent time with a lot of former players, but only one or two really gave me the feeling that, ‘Yes, I genuinely want to do something for the team,’” he added, underscoring his belief that commitment should outweigh charisma.
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