Cricket

Royal Challengers Bangalore's star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has announced that he is taking a break from cricket due to poor form and a hip strain. The 35-year-old has struggled in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, scoring only 32 runs in six innings with an average of 5.33.Maxwell revealed his decision in an appearance on ESPN's 'Around the Wicket' show, stating that the "physical and mental toll probably just wore me down a little bit." He also disclosed that he has been dealing with a hip injury, which has further contributed to his struggles."I've actually got a little bit of a hip strain so I've got a few more days off and during recovery," Maxwell said. "So I've got a little period here where I'm still training, still trying to get myself right. If there is a spot that becomes available, I'll obviously put my hand up and take it."Maxwell emphasized that his return to the team is not based on a fixed timeline. "It's not one of those things where I've set a date that I'll be out for three games then I'll come back whenever I'm ready. That's not how it works. I haven't been at a level that's good enough to warrant a spot on the side this year," he said.Despite his struggles in the IPL, Maxwell remains a highly sought-after player in T20 cricket. He has signed a deal to play for Washington Freedom in the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament, which is scheduled to begin on July 4.Maxwell expressed his excitement about joining MLC, saying, "I've been speaking to Ricky Ponting and a few other players a fair bit over the last little period and certainly extremely excited to get stuck in." He added, "It's a tournament that I watched from afar last year and was extremely excited about hopefully playing this tournament one day and luckily enough the timings have aligned this year."Maxwell's decision to take a break from cricket is a reminder of the mental and physical challenges that athletes face in high-pressure environments. It also highlights the importance of prioritizing well-being and taking time to recover when necessary.

Mayank Yadav, the fast bowler for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), is expected to miss the team's next two matches due to a minor hip injury. Head coach Justin Langer confirmed the news on Thursday, stating that Mayank is unlikely to play against Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.Mayank experienced discomfort in his hip during LSG's previous match against Gujarat Titans on Sunday. He bowled only one over before leaving the field. Subsequent medical examinations revealed a small swelling in his hip."He felt a little bit of tightness at the top of his hip leading into the last game," Langer explained. "He bowled that first over and started feeling something in his hip. We had an MRI scan, and there is a very, very small swelling in there."Despite the injury, Langer expressed optimism that Mayank will recover quickly. "We are very hopeful he'll start building himself up and be back bowling again soon," he said.LSG's short turnaround between matches and travel schedule make it challenging for Mayank to recover in time for the upcoming games. "It's unlikely that he plays these two games," Langer admitted. "But he's certainly working towards playing whenever he possibly can."The team is targeting Mayank's return for their match against Chennai Super Kings on April 19. "We want him to play every game if possible," Langer emphasized. "He's working very hard every day to be ready for whatever our next game is."In Mayank's absence, LSG will have to rely on other bowlers to fill the void. The team has a number of options, including Avesh Khan, Dushmantha Chameera, and Mohsin Khan.