'A strange transition' - Glenn Maxwell trying to get used to No. 5 role at Kings XI Punjab

The disparity between Glenn Maxwell's record for Australia in T20Is with his performances in the Indian Premier League is stark, but the right-hand batsman put it down to having a "clearer role" with Australia as against the frequent changes in his batting position and roles that the changing landscape of various franchises in the IPL demanded. Maxwell averages 33.52 at a strike rate of 158.36 in 64 matches for Australia. In the IPL, while his strike rate has remained up there at 156.78, his average after 76 matches is 22.38.

"I probably would not (compare IPL and Australia career). The way I have played international cricket, it has been more of a clearer role. I know exactly how the guys will bat around me," he said in a chat with PTI. "My role in IPL changes probably for most games. In IPL, a lot of teams change their sides a lot. In the Australian set-up we have the same eleven for most of the games, we all know our roles really well."

Maxwell came to IPL 2020 on the back of some good form, having hit 77 and 108 in two matches of the three-ODI series in England, where Australia won 2-1. But he has totalled just 58 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 95.08 for Kings XI Punjab so far.

"When you are only together for two months in the year with IPL, there is going to be chopping and changing," Maxwell said. "You are always looking for that right team balance. The team you pick at the start of the tournament might not have the balance you think as you progress.

"We feel we are getting closer to that (team balance). I have had different experiences where I have not quite performed to the level people expect but there has been no lack of trying, (or) putting the effort in training."

Maxwell, who has also turned out for Delhi Daredevils and Mumbai Indians in the past, had his best season in the IPL in 2014, hitting 552 runs (strike rate of 187.75) in a man of the tournament performance that took the Kings XI to the final for the first, and so far only, time in their history.

"Despite the fact I did well in 2014, I actually thought my performance in 2017 was my best season," Maxwell said of the time he made 310 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 173.18 for the Kings XI, also taking seven wickets at an economy rate of 6.57. "Being captain, Man of the Match multiple times and I bowled a lot more. I thought that was my best season in the IPL. I was able to combine some match-winning knocks with some mature knocks."

The following season, he played for Delhi but didn't have great success. He did not take part in IPL 2019.