NEW DELHI: Glenn Maxwell took the World Cup by a storm with his blazing double hundred that brought Australia back from the dead to book a place in the semi-finals with a thrilling win over Afghanistan in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Maxwell's 201 not out off 128 balls, which came after the Aussies had their backs to the walls at 91/7 while chasing 292 to win, has come in for special praise across the cricketing world, including his team-mate at Royal Challengers Bangalore and the legend Virat Kohli.
Posting a story with Maxwell's image on his Instagram account, Kohli wrote: "Only you could do this, freak @gmaxi_32".
Maxwell was cramping up badly during his innings at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, after he was joined by skipper Pat Cummins, with Australia in a precarious situation. But the Aussies not just chased down the target for a three-wicket win and a place in the semi-finals, but did it with 3.1 overs to spare.
It was an unbroken 202-run partnership between Maxwell and Cummins, who had the best seat in the house while scoring 12* off 68 balls and allowing his partner to do all the damage.
It was not a chance-less knock, though, as Maxwell was also dropped on a couple of occasions.
"It would have been nice if it was a chance-less knock, but I had my chances. To make the most of it tonight was something I can be proud of. Amazing, after the first two games, people were quick to write us off. The belief was always there. After today, it would have gone a bit higher," Maxwell said after the match.
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