Maxwell takes indefinite break from IPL

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has taken an indefinite break from the Indian Premier League after struggling for form with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The World Cup winner has just scored 32 runs with bat in six games so far in the ongoing edition. He missed the defeat on Monday in a record run-fest against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

It was Bengaluru’s sixth defeat in seven matches and Faf du Plessis’s side are bottom of the 10-team table.

“I think now is actually a good time for me to give myself a bit of a mental and physical break, get my body right,” the 35-year-old said.

“If I’m required to get in during the tournament, I can hopefully get back into a really solid mental and physical space where I can still have an impact.”

Maxwell, who will be key for Australia at the T20 World Cup in June.

This is not the first time the all-rounder moved away from the game citing mental health issues. He took a break from international cricket in 2019 for the same reason.

He said on Monday it was “a pretty easy decision” to step aside for the time being.

“I went to Faf and the coaches after the last game and said I felt it was probably time we tried someone else,” he said.

“I have been in this situation in the past where you can keep playing and get yourself deeper into a hole.”