Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, currently playing for Punjab Kings in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), has been fined 25% of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during a heated encounter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
In an official statement released by the IPL, it was confirmed that Maxwell had admitted to the offence and accepted the penalty handed down by the match referee. The violation falls under Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a match.”
“Glenn Maxwell accepted the Match Referee’s sanction and admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.2,” the statement read.
“For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding.”
Although the specific incident leading to the breach was not described in detail, such infractions typically involve acts of frustration—like slamming a bat, throwing equipment, or damaging property—often in response to poor on-field performance.
Frustrations Mount as Maxwell Struggles in IPL 2025
Maxwell’s outburst comes amid a difficult start to the season. Despite being signed by Punjab Kings for a hefty ₹4.2 crore at the IPL 2025 auction, his performances have been underwhelming. In four matches, Maxwell has managed to score only 31 runs at a strike rate of 129.17, hardly the explosive numbers expected from the power-hitter.
He has, however, contributed with the ball—claiming three crucial wickets with his off-spin, including the important dismissal of CSK opener Rachin Ravindra in the latest match. Ravindra, who looked set to build a solid opening partnership, was caught off Maxwell’s bowling, providing a rare moment of impact from the Aussie.
Still, that single moment wasn’t enough to overshadow his underwhelming form with the bat—and the frustrations appear to be boiling over.
Criticism from Manjrekar: “The Halley’s Comet of Cricket”
Adding fuel to the fire, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar didn’t hold back in his criticism of Maxwell’s inconsistency. Speaking on JioHotstar, Manjrekar compared the Australian all-rounder to Halley’s Comet, a celestial body that only appears visible from Earth once every 75 years.
“Glenn Maxwell plays one solid game in 75 games, and that’s it,” Manjrekar remarked.
“Much like Halley’s Comet, which will next be seen in 2061, after its last sighting in 1986. The same is true of Maxwell when he bats. Halley’s Comet of Cricket is Glenn Maxwell.”
While the remark may have been made in jest, it reflects the growing sentiment among fans and analysts who feel Maxwell has not lived up to expectations—especially given his price tag and reputation as a game-changer in T20 cricket.
What’s Next for Maxwell and Punjab Kings?
With pressure mounting and public criticism increasing, Glenn Maxwell finds himself at a crossroads. Punjab Kings, struggling to gain momentum this season, desperately need their star players to step up—and Maxwell’s all-round abilities could be key to turning things around.
However, he’ll have to do more than take the occasional wicket or hit the odd boundary. With his passion boiling over into disciplinary issues, Maxwell’s next few games could be career-defining—at least as far as his IPL future is concerned.
For now, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see whether the “Halley’s Comet of Cricket” can find his orbit again before it’s too late.