A Pakistani reporter named Naseem Rajput has suggested that Glenn Maxwell deliberately underperformed against Team India during the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final at the Dubai International Stadium. In a video surfaced on social media, he suggested that it seemed like the all-rounder was playing for Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The Victorian failed to fire across facets against the Men in Blue. With the bat, he perished immediately after hitting a six as Axar Patel castled him. With the ball, he bagged figures of 6.1-0-35-0 and dropped a relatively tough chance off Cooper Connolly's bowling as Virat Kohli offered a chance when on 51.
Speaking at a local channel, Rajput said Maxwell had the foundation set by Steve Smith and Alex Carey to take Australia to 300. With Maxwell having played for RCB alongside Kohli for over two years, he also felt the veteran all-rounder was blinded by IPL's lucrative contract.
"Hum bahut bolte hain na Maxwell very well. Aaj mujhe aisa laga, Maxwell Royal Challengers Bengaluru ke liye khel raha hai, Kohli ki team ke liye khel raha hai. Ehsas isliye hua, ek toh woh jis tareeke se out hue, woh gend nahin tha jisse haath mein se balla nikal jaaye. Carey aur Smith ne ground banaake Maxwell ko de diya tha, 300 run ke player ab wahi they. 300 ab nazar aa rahe they jis tarah ki position pe woh le aa rahe they. Phir Kohli ka haathon ka dolly catch choda hai. IPL ka lucrative contract aisi cheez hai jab international cricket jam ho jaati hai."
(We all say Maxwell, very well. Today I felt Maxwell was playing for Kohli's RCB team. The ball in which he got out wasn't a miracle ball. Alex Carey and Steve Smith created the foundation and Maxwell could've taken them to 300. Then he dropped Kohli's catch as well. It's the lucrative IPL contract that brings international cricket to a standstill.)
Virat Kohli scored a vital 84 to steer Team India over the line
After being dropped at 51, Kohli went on to score 33 more runs. Australia, nevertheless, dragged the match until the 49th over despite their second-string bowling unit. It was still not enough as KL Rahul hit the winning runs to put their side in the final.
The Men in Blue will face New Zealand in the final on March 9, Sunday in Dubai.
