With the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just around the corner, excitement is building as teams gear up for a mega auction. However, a new controversy has emerged, drawing attention away from the upcoming tournament. Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell, currently with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has made sensational allegations against former Indian opener Virender Sehwag in his autobiography, Glenn Maxwell: The Showman.
The IPL is no stranger to controversies, and Maxwell’s revelations have quickly become a hot topic on social media. One particular incident from the 2017 season has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike. Maxwell, who initially played for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), was appointed captain for the 2017 season. That year, Sehwag took on the role of the team’s director of cricket.
The controversy centers around a critical match against Rising Pune Supergiant, where Punjab was bowled out for a mere 73 runs, resulting in a loss by 9 wickets. This defeat not only ended Punjab’s playoff hopes but also seemed to set the stage for a fallout between Maxwell and Sehwag.
In his book, Maxwell writes about his decision to attend the post-match press conference. However, he claims that Sehwag intervened, taking his place at the podium instead. Shocked and feeling sidelined, Maxwell returned to the team bus only to discover he had been removed from the team’s main WhatsApp group. He received messages suggesting that Sehwag was unhappy with his leadership and accused him of shirking responsibility.
Expressing his hurt feelings, Maxwell stated, “Being an ardent fan of Sehwag, I was deeply hurt by those comments.” He promptly sent a message to Sehwag, conveying his disappointment, but the response was dismissive: “I don’t need a fan like you.” This incident reportedly ended their communication, with Maxwell ultimately informing the team owner that he would not be comfortable playing if Sehwag remained involved with the franchise. Notably, Sehwag was dropped from the team following the next season.
Maxwell’s revelations have raised eyebrows and ignited discussions about the often turbulent relationships within IPL teams. As fans eagerly await the mega auction and the start of the tournament, this controversy serves as a reminder of the high-stakes environment of professional cricket.
The fallout from this revelation may lead to further scrutiny of team dynamics in the IPL, especially as Maxwell and Sehwag are both prominent figures in cricket. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this affects their legacies and reputations as the season unfolds.
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