Glenn Maxwell's IPL 2025 journey ends mid-season due to finger injury

In a major setback for Punjab Kings (PBKS), star Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to a fractured finger. The injury has prematurely ended Maxwell’s campaign in the 18th edition of the tournament, dealing a blow to the team’s plans during a crucial phase of the season.

The announcement was made by PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer during the toss ahead of the clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). When asked by commentator Danny Morrison about Maxwell's condition, Iyer confirmed the severity of the injury, stating that the team had not yet finalised a replacement for the veteran player.

“Very sad to miss out on Glenn Maxwell, who has a fractured finger,” Iyer said. “We haven't decided on the replacement so far. Yeah, we are probably sticking to our last playing XI. Not sure what the changes are. But the majority of the players are there.”

Disappointing Return for Maxwell in 2025

Maxwell, who rejoined PBKS for INR 4.2 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, returned to his former franchise with high expectations. The all-rounder had been a key part of PBKS’s 2014 campaign when they finished as runners-up, even being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) that season. However, this year's performance did not reflect that past success.

In seven appearances this season, Maxwell struggled with the bat, scoring only 48 runs across six innings. His average stood at a dismal 8.00, with a strike rate of just 97.96 — well below his explosive standards. His highest score of the tournament was a modest 30, and for the second consecutive year, he failed to notch a half-century in any match.

While his batting faltered, Maxwell managed to make a modest impact with the ball. Serving as a part-time off-spinner, he picked up four wickets in six innings. His bowling average was 27.50, with a strike rate of 19.50 and an economy rate of 8.46, making him a handy option in the middle overs.