Maxwell and Miller lift Kings XI Punjab past Rajasthan Royals

Kings XI Punjab bowlers failed to turn up again, but Glenn Maxwell and David Miller made light of another massive chase as Punjab rolled past Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah for their second IPL victory, reports Paul Radley.

Glenn Maxwell of Kings XI Punjab plays a shot in the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. Kings XI Punjab won the match by seven wickets. Pawan Singh / The NationalShow less

Rajasthan 191/5 (20 ov)

Punjab 193/3 (18.4 ov)

Toss Punjab, who chose to field

Rajastan Samson 52, Watson 50; Kartik 1-51

Punjab Maxwell 89, Miller 51, Pujara 40; Kulkarni 1-50

Man of the match Glenn Maxwell (Punjab)

SHARJAH // Glenn Maxwell may feel a little embarrassed by the showy nickname which was foist upon him in his early career. But “The Big Show” does not really cover it, anymore.

Many more performances like the two he has put up with the bat so far since the Indian Premier League (IPL) arrived in the UAE and he will be due an upgrade.

The Phenom? The Walking Highlights Reel? The Multi-million Dollar Man?

Nothing really covers it when trying to describe a player who has accrued 184 runs at an average of 92 and a strike rate of 209 so far in this year’s competition.

George Bailey, his captain at Kings XI Punjab and Australia teammate, is no help in furthering the debate, either.

“It is unbelievable, there is no other way to describe it,” Bailey said of Maxwell’s stunning run of form.

“Extraordinary. Awesome. That’s all I’ve got. You will have to come up with the rest.”

Thanks largely to Maxwell’s heroics, with a little dash of David Miller thrown in for good measure, Punjab have so far scored 399 for seven in 37.3 overs in just two matches in IPL 2014.

Having chased down 206 in Abu Dhabi in their opener against Chennai Super Kings on Friday, last night’s 192 to win in Sharjah was always going to be child’s play.

“I’m in awe [of Maxwell],” Bailey said. “Watching the highlights from his innings here is like career highlights for most players.

“He played nine or 10 shots in one innings that 95 per cent of us would have been happy to play in our careers.”

This tournament may be the Indian Premier League, but it has felt like an Australian takeover for much of the past week.

Even when Maxwell is not dominating the narrative, the rest of his compatriots having been playing compelling cameos.

Given the way they have taken each other on here, it is safe to assume an Australian net session is not for the faint hearted.

Punjab’s attack-leader, Mitchell Johnson, smashed a searing bouncer into the grille of James Faulkner’s helmet here.

When Punjab then began their pursuit of victory, Maxwell then savaged Faulkner for 17 in one over of the Royals all-rounder’s left-arm seamers.

It seemed only fitting that it was left to two Australians to pick the bones out of it. Shane Watson, the Australia batsman, was the captain opposing Bailey for the Royals.

“When Maxwell goes off like he did tonight it is very difficult to contain him because he can hit the ball on both sides of the wicket,” Watson said.

“At this point in time it does not worry me whether he is Australian, West Indian or Indian. When we are playing against anyone, we don’t want them to perform that well.

“Everyone knows, whether you play with or against Glenn Maxwell, he can be very unpredictable.

“That is what makes him extremely dangerous. Even if you know him very well it is hard to be able to contain him.”

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