OTD In 2023: 'One-Legged' Glenn Maxwell Scored Match-Winning Double Century Against Afghanistan In ODI World Cup

OTD in 2023: On 7th November 2023, Australia's star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell brought out one of the best knocks in the history of the ODI World Cup in Mumbai as he fought through multiple cramps to help Australia secure a historic win. In an intense World Cup clash on November 7, Australia was asked to chase a mammoth target of 292 runs against Afghanistan. The Afghan bowlers had a flying start as they reduced Australia to 49/4 in nine overs and by the 19th over they were reeling at 91/7. Since Afghanistan dominated most of the match, Australia's hopes of winning the match looked slim.

Then Maxwell came into bat and brought out one of the best ODI knocks. He began slowly by scoring 22 runs off 26 balls and then changed his gears and launched a brilliant comeback. Although he was suffering from multiple cramps, he smashed a record-breaking knock of 201 runs off 128 balls and became the first player to have scored a double ton while chasing in the 50-over format and also became the first Australian batter to have scored a double ton. He had smashed 21 fours and 10 sixes, which completely turned the tide of the match.

The Afghanistan batters did show their prowess when opener Ibrahim Zadran scored a brilliant knock of 129 runs off 143 balls, along with significant contributions from Rashid Khan, who helped their team post a respectable target of 291 runs. Their bowlers gave the team the much-needed breakthrough as Australia was on the verge of losing this match but then Maxwell's incredible knock changed the result of the match and scripted history.

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His partnership of 202 runs with skipper Pat Cummins, who too scored 12 runs off 68 balls, also became the highest-ever partnership for the eighth wicket in the 50-over format. His efforts were quite incredible, especially when he was suffering from cramps as during the 41st over, he was struggling to even move. And there were times when he became immobile and was dependent on his hand-eye combination to smash the boundary. He even fell to the ground due to cramps and scored 54 runs without moving his feet and helped his team qualify for the semifinals by securing a historic win.

Sachin Tendulkar lauded his efforts and described it as one of the best ODI innings he had seen.