In the annals of cricket history, Australia boasts five World Cup triumphs, yet Glenn Maxwell’s spectacular performance against Afghanistan etched a new pinnacle of remembrance. The Australian team may have won five World Cup titles, but Glenn Maxwell’s knock ensured the win against Afghanistan will be among the most memorable. Amidst adversity, both external and internal, Maxwell’s path to the historic double century was fraught. Drops, reviews, cramps, and physical agony punctuated his innings. As the innings progressed, his mobility waned, a testament to his valor as every single run garnered a standing ovation from the Wankhede Stadium crowd. Far from hindering him, physical distress provided a backdrop to his extraordinary display, as Maxwell’s unparalleled hand-eye coordination and near-impeccable ball-striking compensated for his other limitations.
His record-shattering 201* marked a watershed moment in ODI history, being the first instance of an individual achieving a double century while chasing. What further sets this feat apart is that Maxwell accomplished this extraordinary milestone as a non-opening batter; a pioneering achievement. Could this be deemed the pinnacle of all time?
In the year 1983, India faced Zimbabwe in the World Cup semi-final. Despite a spectacular run in the tournament, India found themselves in dire straits, having lost half their side with just 17 runs on the board. It was then that Kapil Dev seized control, blasting an unbeaten 175 off a mere 138 balls. This not only steered India’s faltering ship but also propelled them to a resounding 31-run victory. To this day, this innings is hailed as one of the greatest in ODIs, albeit tragically unrecorded for broadcast.
The very next year, West Indies maestro Vivian Richards showcased a masterclass in ODI batting. His 189 off 170 balls stands tall as one of the greatest innings in ODI history. It was a testament to his power, elegance, and the swift, incisive style that was still relatively unfamiliar in his era. Over the ensuing decades, there emerged Sachin Tendulkar’s desert storm (143 vs Australia), Herschelle Gibbs’ 175 in a record 435-run chase, and Rohit Sharma’s world-record 264 that left the world in awe. So, where does Maxwell’s performance stand amongst such legends of the game? Each of these innings merits its own celebration, and direct comparisons are fraught with challenge. However, a stage like the World Cup is a challenge that’s hard to surpass. While Kapil faced a relatively more dire situation when he took the crease compared to Maxwell, the former India captain had the advantage of setting a target. In Maxwell’s case, it was already a daunting chase, and his physical limitations towards the latter stages of the innings only exacerbated the situation for the Aussie.
So, once again, is Maxwell’s 201* the preeminent ODI innings of all time?
The extraordinary context of the World Cup, the high-stakes run-chase, and the manner in which Maxwell navigated the pursuit undoubtedly elevate this innings to a position of eminence. From Pakistan’s venerable Wasim Akram to the erstwhile English skipper Michael Vaughan, and Australia’s current captain Pat Cummins – who had a ringside view at the non-striker’s end for a substantial part of Maxwell’s innings – all have bestowed the label of “greatest” upon the 201*. And when such illustrious names in world cricket, who have witnessed the pinnacle of the sport, endorse such a claim, it behooves one to take notice.