In what has come as a big blow for Bangalore, Glenn Maxwell is likely to miss the team’s opening match in the Indian T20 League 2023. The star all-rounder is still recovering from the leg injury as he broke his leg in a freak accident last November.
Maxwell returned to international cricket earlier this month during the one-day international series between India and Australia, but he missed the final two games. The all-return rounder’s return to the highest level was “more demanding than he had expected,” according to national selector George Bailey. He is currently focusing on strength and conditioning to be ready for Bangalore’s season opener on April 2nd.
Furthermore, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is expected to miss the first few days of the tournament while recovering from an Achilles injury that forced him to miss the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India. The Australian pacer would hope to play for Bangalore in the tournament’s later stages.
Rajat Patidar had already been ruled out for the team’s first few matches due to a heel injury, and the news that Maxwell is doubtful for the opener and Hazlewood will miss multiple matches will be a further setback for the Men in Black and Red.
The 2016 Finalists had secured a playoff spot in the Indian T20 League 2022, but they failed to claim the trophy yet again after losing Qualifier 2. The team led by Faf du Plessis will try to change their fortunes this time and win their first title.
Bangalore will open their season against Mumbai on April 2nd at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, their home ground. This will be their first home game since the 2019 season.
Bangalore full squad for Indian T20 League
Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Siraj, Faf Du Plessis, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik, Shahbaz Ahmad, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Josh Hazlewood, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Suyash Prabhudessai, Karn Sharma, Siddharth Kaul, David Willey, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, Sonu Yadav, Micheal Bracewell
