NEW DELHI: The electrifying atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during Glenn Maxwell's match-winning heroics against Afghanistan brought back echoes of a historic day in cricket 40 years ago. In 1983, it was Kapil Dev for India, and on Tuesday night, it was Glenn Maxwell for Australia, producing stunning displays of resilience and skill that have etched their names in cricketing lore.
In 1983, during a cold morning in Tunbridge Wells, Kapil's valiant innings against Zimbabwe turned the tide for India. Facing a daunting situation at 17 for 5, Kapil led the charge, bulldozing the opposition's bowlers, eventually guiding India to victory. Team manager PR Man Singh's superstitions even kept Krishnamachari Srikkanth from taking a restroom break as they were all spellbound by Kapil's brilliance.
Fast forward to the present, the Wankhede Stadium witnessed Maxwell's unforgettable performance. Facing an imposing target of 292 and reduced to a dire situation at 91 for 7, Maxwell and Australian captain Pat Cummins engaged in an extraordinary 202-run unbeaten partnership, scripting a remarkable turnaround.
Maxwell, despite battling cramps, played an innings for the ages, featuring 21 fours and 10 sixes, guiding Australia to a three-wicket win over Afghanistan, securing their spot in the World Cup semifinals.
1/10:Maxwell's stunning 201* guides Australia to World Cup semi-finals
PTI
2/10:Maxwell's 201* leads Australia to victory
Glenn Maxwell's stunning 201 not out guided Australia into the semi-finals of the World Cup as they snatched a sensational three-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat against Afghanistan.IANS
3/10:Maxwell becomes third to hit a World Cup double ton
Glenn Maxwell's 201 not out included 21 fours and 10 sixes, making him only the third player in World Cup history to score a double century.PTI
4/10:Maxwell's reprieve on 33 proves costly
Glenn Maxwell was dropped on 33 by Afghanistan's fielder, and he made them pay with a remarkable innings that led Australia to victory.PTI
5/10:Maxwell's highest ODI score
Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 201 was his highest score in one-day internationals and his second century of the World Cup.PTI
6/10:Maxwell & Cummins secure victory
Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins shared an unbroken eighth-wicket partnership of 202 runs to guide Australia to victory.AFP
7/10:Maxwell overcomes cramp
Glenn Maxwell suffered from cramp during his innings but continued to dominate Afghanistan's bowlers and finished the match with nearly three overs to spare.PTI
8/10:Maxwell's extraordinary reverse hit
Glenn Maxwell showcased his wide range of shots, including an extraordinary reverse hit for six off paceman Azmatullah Omarzai.PTI
9/10:Zadran scores first World Cup century
Ibrahim Zadran scored his first World Cup century, making 129 not out in Afghanistan's total of 291-5.AFP
10/10:Afghanistan's fightback falls short
Afghanistan fought hard but fell short as Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 201 guided Australia to victory in a thrilling World Cup encounter.PTIThe Australian players' devotion to superstition was apparent during Maxwell's whirlwind knock. They remained "fixated" in their designated dressing room positions until Maxwell smashed Mujeeb ur Rahaman for a six, just as Kapil's heroics had mesmerised the Indian team decades ago.
Josh Hazlewood, one of Australia's key bowlers, shared the intensity of the moment, saying, "I was just blown away by what happened and just got caught up watching like everyone else. I did not think about batting at all." He lauded Maxwell's performance as the "No. 1" innings he had ever witnessed. Maxwell's 128-ball 201 not out, after hitting the fastest World Cup century against the Netherlands a few days prior, left a lasting impact.
Hazlewood admitted that bowling to Maxwell was a challenge, likening it to facing the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Jos Buttler. He marvelled at Maxwell's ability to hit the ball 360 degrees and the multitude of shots in his arsenal.
Reflecting on the Afghanistan innings, Hazlewood acknowledged that Australia had given away too many runs in the final five overs. Still, he emphasised that the pitch was good throughout the match, making it tough for the team batting second. However, Australia's perseverance and resilience ultimately paved the way for their stunning victory.
(With inputs from PTI)
