In a breathtaking turn of events, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell unleashed an astounding unbeaten 201-run onslaught against Afghanistan, securing a spot for his team in the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-finals. The cricketing world is still abuzz with Maxwell’s electrifying performance at Wankhede Stadium.

Virat Kohli, who shares the cricket field with Maxwell as teammates at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, took to social media to express his awe at Maxwell’s phenomenal knock. Kohli, acknowledging Maxwell’s extraordinary talents, wrote,

“Only you could do this, freak @gmaxi_32,”

in an Instagram story.

Maxwell himself was not immune to the overwhelming response, taking to Twitter to express his gratitude:

“Pretty overwhelmed with all the Thank you so much to everyone that has sent messages. @patcummins30 was amazing out there! Sorry I knocked back a couple Time to get back to dad duties,” Maxwell wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

While Maxwell’s performance was outstanding, he did have a couple of close calls, notably when Afghan fielders, particularly Mujeeb ur Rahman, dropped him before he reached a half-century. Maxwell acknowledged that a flawless innings would have been ideal but expressed his pride in making the most of the opportunity.

“While fielding today, the scorching heat took me by surprise. I hadn’t acclimated to such conditions, and it got the better of me. I felt the need to pause and get my legs moving again. When asked about our plans at 92/7, I didn’t change much; I aimed to adhere to our batting strategies, maintain a positive mindset, and continue playing my shots. The LBW decision was a close call, with the ball just grazing above the stumps, prompting me to become more proactive. There was a subtle hint of swing and nip off the surface, particularly under the evening lights, and our opponents bowled brilliantly to exploit those conditions. While it would have been ideal for my innings to be without a blemish, I did have a couple of chances. Nevertheless, I take pride in capitalizing on those opportunities tonight. It’s truly amazing how, after the first two games, people were quick to write us off. However, our team’s unwavering belief was always intact, and today’s performance has elevated that belief even higher,”

Maxwell shared during the post-match presentation ceremony.

India are yet to face defeat in the 2023 World Cup, and their most significant challenge came on the league stage against South Africa at the challenging Eden Gardens. In a remarkable display, the Indian bowlers dismantled the South African batting lineup, securing a historic 243-run victory that extended their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Mohammed Shami, a crucial figure in India’s successful second phase of the league stage, didn’t hold back in his assessment of South Africa following this resounding win.

Before the match, India’s bowling unit faced a stern test, especially after Hardik Pandya’s unfortunate ankle injury ruled him out of the remainder of the World Cup. South Africa have been relentless against their opposition’s bowling attacks, consistently scoring 350 or more in four out of their seven matches, including a tournament-high 428 for five. With the likes of Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen in superb form, South Africa appeared a formidable batting lineup.

However, when facing India, South Africa’s batting order crumbled dramatically, primarily due to Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul. They were bowled out for a mere 83 runs in just 27.1 overs, with Marco Jansen batting at No. 7, being the top scorer with a 30-ball 14.

After the astonishing win, Mohammad Kaif, a former Indian cricketer on the Star Sports panel, playfully asked Shami about the competition level, saying,

“You beat Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Where will we get a new team now, from the moon?”

It’s worth noting that besides South Africa, India has also defeated three other teams that have scored 350 or more at least once in this World Cup – Australia (3), New Zealand (2), and England (1).

Shami responded with his trademark bluntness, saying,

“Har baar 400 paar karne waalon ka haal dekho” (Look at the condition of the team that consistently scores over 400 runs).”

With two wickets in just four overs against South Africa, Shami added to his tally of 14 wickets in four appearances in this World Cup, including two five-wicket hauls. He now stands as India’s top wicket-taker in the tournament’s history.

In a thrilling World Cup encounter marred by rain, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson lauded Pakistan and their dynamic opener Fakhar Zaman as “something special.” Pakistan secured a remarkable 21-run win, keeping their World Cup hopes alive.

New Zealand posted an imposing total of 401-6, led by a brilliant century from their emerging talent, Rachin Ravindra, and a resilient 95 from Williamson, who returned to the side after recovering from an injury.

Facing the prospect of World Cup elimination, Pakistan mounted a scintillating response through power-hitting. Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 126 not out off 81 balls, featuring 11 towering sixes and eight boundaries, marked his 11th ODI century. Captain Babar Azam also contributed significantly with an unbeaten 66 off 63 balls.

At the 25.3-over mark, Pakistan had reached 200-1, chasing a revised target of 342 in 41 overs due to rain. At this juncture, the match was called off, with Pakistan leading by 21 runs on the DLS method.

Kane Williamson acknowledged Pakistan’s extraordinary display, stating,

“We saw something special today from Pakistan.”

He praised Zaman’s aggressive batting style and credited Pakistan for their impressive achievement in the match.

Notably, prior to this encounter, only two teams had scored 400 or more runs in an ODI and lost.

New Zealand, now with eight points in as many games, maintain a strong position to secure a semi-final spot, largely due to their superior net run-rate. They face Sri Lanka in their final group match, while Pakistan take on England, concluding the group stage.

Williamson expressed the team’s focused approach and the need to adapt to the evolving situation in their remaining matches, emphasizing that they couldn’t rely on other teams’ results to progress in the tournament.

The New Zealand captain also expressed his relief at returning to the team after overcoming injuries. He mentioned his recent thumb injury following a knee issue but expressed his happiness at being back on the field and playing with the team.

Team India are currently relishing a well-earned week-long break before they face off against the reigning World Cup champions, England. The highly anticipated clash is set to take place at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow this Sunday. India’s impeccable performance in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, with five consecutive wins, places them at the top of the table. Captain Rohit Sharma is determined to uphold their unbeaten record as they take on Jos Buttler’s side.

In an exclusive interview with Star Sports’ show ‘Follow the Blues,’ Rohit Sharma delved into his approach as captain and leader. He underlined how crucial it is to recognize each athlete as a person and cater to their unique demands. He stated,

“I think when it comes to managing players, it’s quite important that you understand the individual first and their requirements, likes and dislikes. In a team sport, it’s not just about one or two individuals; it’s about everyone.”

Rohit Sharma has been a standout performer in the tournament, amassing 311 runs in five matches with an impressive average of 62.2. He notched up his seventh century in the match against Afghanistan, making him the player with the most centuries in the history of the ODI World Cup.

When asked about his captaincy mantra, Rohit shared:

“I try and put myself in their shoes and think about what this individual will be needing now. So, it’s important to think like that. Luckily, I have a good bunch of guys around me; the players and the support staff are quite understanding in terms of the requirements of the team and the players.”

He emphasized that creating a conducive mental space for everyone is crucial, especially during high-pressure tournaments. His leadership style places a strong emphasis on knowing what each team member needs, meeting those needs, and giving them the flexibility to carry out their responsibilities. Years of personal experience and a thorough grasp of what it takes for a team to flourish have helped Rohit refine his approach. In his words,

“To be successful, it’s important to understand everyone’s needs, requirements, and give them the space and freedom to execute their job and roles.”