Glenn Maxwell's IPL Journey Cut Short: What's Next for Punjab Kings?

Injury Strikes Punjab Kings' Star Player

Chennai: Glenn Maxwell, the Australian all-rounder for Punjab Kings, is expected to miss the remainder of the Indian Premier League due to a fractured finger.

The injury occurred during training prior to PBKS's last match against Kolkata Knight Riders, where Maxwell scored just 7 runs, continuing a disappointing season.

In his absence, Suryansh Shedge stepped in for the recent match against Chennai Super Kings, which PBKS won by four wickets.

Marcus Stoinis, Maxwell's teammate, shared the unfortunate news, stating, "Maxi broke his finger just before the last game during practice. Initially, he thought it wasn't serious, but it turned out to be quite severe after scans revealed the extent of the injury. It seems likely he will be out for the tournament."

Punjab's head coach, Ricky Ponting, mentioned that the team is currently exploring options for a suitable replacement, which may prove challenging.

"We will be looking to sign replacements soon," Ponting noted during the post-match press conference when asked about the injury. "We have until our 12th game, so there are a few matches left. We're assessing our current squad, including players like Azmatullah Omarzai and Aaron Hardie, who have yet to play, as well as Xavier Bartlett, who was not in action today."

Ponting elaborated on the conditions in Dharamsala, suggesting that Maxwell might be considered for selection there, where the pitch could favor swing and bounce.

He also highlighted the importance of evaluating Indian talent, as international options are limited due to concurrent leagues. "There aren't many high-quality replacements available, so we've been patient. We're looking at younger Indian players and will take a few with us to Dharamsala for further assessment. They could potentially secure a contract with Punjab moving forward. We need to finalize this before our 12th game, so stay tuned."