Glenn Maxwell 201*: Is this the greatest ODI innings of all time?

Glenn Maxwell added 202 runs for the 8th wicket along with Pat Cummins to guide Australia to an incredible victory.

It was a dream stuff at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai when Glenn Maxwell played the winning shot against Afghanistan. It was nothing but a six to finish off the game off Mujeeb Ur Rahman and take Australia into the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Adrenalin is still pumping as the Australian all-rounder made everyone glued to the action at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Maxwell’s knock will be rated as ‘THE BEST’ ever ODI knock not only due to the runs he scored but for the quality it has. 

The greatest ODI innings ever

When we talk about the greatest ODI knocks ever, a lot of debate and discussions might go on some other knocks played by some other batter, but in times to come Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 will be rated as the best even when adrenaline rush settles down. Glenn Maxwell came in to bat when Australia were 4 wickets down inside the first powerplay and he was facing Azmatullah Omarzai who already had two in two and was waiting for his hat-trick. Maxwell had a close escape due to a thin outside edge. This marked the beginning of unthinkable unfolding. 

Afghanistan kept on taking wickets at the other end and brought Australia down to 7 wickets for just 91 runs with 201 still needed to win the game in 31 overs. Glenn Maxwell was batting on 22 in 26 balls. Australia captain Pat Cummins had walked in and Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood were to come in next. Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins added 202 runs from there on, beating every single obstacle that came their way. Maxwell was struggling with cramps, spasms and dehydration and was unable to move his feet and mostly banked on his power-hitting. 

A great sense of planning

This was also one of the greatest aspects of the game for fans and everyone to witness a player smashing the ball all around the Wankhede without moving his feet even an inch. Maxwell had many starts and stops and physios walked in and out but the Australian all-rounder didn’t move an inch from his aim and as soon as he took Australia closer to victory he unleashed his beast power. It was also a sense of planning when he was smashing shots, as soon as he saw Australia inching closer he tried to limp and take a single to not expose Cummins against bowlers. 

Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 was a masterclass for the batter. He became the first-ever double centurion batting at Number 6. Maxwell smashed the second fastest double century in ODI cricket just 2 balls behind Ishan Kishan’s quickest 200 against Bangladesh. Maxwell scored 21 fours and 10 sixes in his innings, contributing 71.64% of his runs in boundaries. Pat Cummins contributed just 12 runs in 202 runs marathon 8th wicket stand. In times to come everyone will remember this knock and will use it as a folklore in cricket. Australians are through to the semi-finals and have fixed their semi-final clash against South Africa. 

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