Legendary Australia player and the current head coach of Delhi Capitals, Ricky Ponting, has backed RCB all-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s decision to take a break from the Indian Premier League 2024. Ponting said that coaches and the team’s management should put the players’ health and well-being above anything else.

Maxwell had withdrawn from the playing XI for RCB’s match against SRH. He wanted to recover mentally and physically after a horror start to the 17th season. Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj were not selected for the contest in Bengaluru.

Ricky Ponting said that players react differently to pressure situations, and Maxwell was under scrutiny after failing to get going in the new season. He said Maxwell is one of the big dogs at RCB and the fans expect runs from his bat every time he goes out to bat.

“Maxwell is one of the big dogs along with Virat Kohli at RCB. Those two and a couple of others are always under pressure as they are expected to deliver for the franchise. If they don’t perform, they start feeling the pinch. If you see how Glenn Maxwell has performed in the IPL so far, pressure will be on the individual player,” Ponting told ANI.

‘I read about Maxwell, and that he wanted to take a break to recover from mental fatigue and physical tiredness. Some players will still like to go through despite being under pressure, and then you have someone like Maxwell, who prefers to take a break to get well.

‘This is where your role as a coach becomes important. You have to make sure that health, well-being, and the welfare of the player is your priority,” he added.

Maxwell scored 32 runs in 6 matches, hitting only one six before he was not picked in the Playing XI against Hyderabad. He also registered three ducks. Maxwell said that he wanted someone else to take his place, and the star player informed the captain, Ffa du Plessis, and coach Andy Flower of his decision.

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