Sanjay Bangar is in awe of Glenn Maxwell's reverse-pulled six off Bas de Leede's bowling in Australia's 2023 World Cup win against the Netherlands.
Maxwell smashed 106 runs off just 44 deliveries as the Aussies set the Dutch a mammoth 400-run target in Delhi on Wednesday. The five-time champions then dismissed Scott Edwards' side for a paltry 90 to complete a comprehensive 309-run win to consolidate their fourth spot in the standings.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Bangar was asked about the unconventional shots Maxwell played during his innings, to which he responded:
"He practices them a lot. When all batters do knocking before the match, he first comes and plays the sweep, then the reverse sweep, and once that is done, he switches his hands and practices the switch hit."
The former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach added:
"The best shot was the one over third man off a slow bouncer. I have seen him playing this shot against the Mumbai Indians in Dubai. You often see this shot in tennis or rubber-ball cricket but rarely in international cricket."
Maxwell struck nine fours and eight sixes during his innings. Bas de Leede bore the brunt of his attack, conceding 115 runs in his 10 overs, the most expensive spell in ODI history.
"The day his bat fires, he makes the match one-sided" - Sanjay Bangar on Glenn Maxwell
Sanjay Bangar was also asked about his thoughts on Glenn Maxwell's knock, to which he replied:
"The day his bat fires, he makes the match one-sided. He is a unique player and plays in his own style. He hits different types of shots that you might not be able to imagine at all."
The former India all-rounder concluded by pointing out that the maverick Aussie cannot be expected to perform consistently.
"To hit that six over third man off a bouncer, it means he has special ability. You shouldn't expect consistency from his bat because he plays such high-risk cricket, but whenever he plays, he will do something where the world will ask where he has been thus far and why he can't do that consistently," he reasoned.
Maxwell added 103 runs for the seventh wicket with Pat Cummins after Australia were reduced to 290/6. The Aussie skipper was a virtual spectator at the other end, contributing just eight runs in the partnership.
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