By Swapneel Deshpande 20 Apr 2025, 15:01 IST
Virender Sehwag is one of India’s most outspoken cricket personalities. He has once again stirred controversy with his candid comments, this time targeting two of IPL 2025’s high-profile foreign stars – Glenn Maxwell and Liam Livingstone. The former Indian cricketer did not hold back in his criticism, questioning the commitment and drive of the two players after their underwhelming performances in the ongoing season.
Maxwell and Livingstone have long been recognized for their explosive batting abilities, but their impact on the field during IPL 2025 has been far from impressive. Sehwag, known for his no-nonsense approach, expressed frustration over the duo’s inability to deliver, accusing them of treating the tournament as nothing more than a “holiday.”
“I feel like Maxwell and Livingstone’s hunger is gone. Yeh yaha holiday manane aate hai, holiday banaakar chale jaate hain. (they just come here for a holiday). They arrive, have their fun, and leave. There’s no visible desire to fight for the team,” Sehwag said during a segment on Cricbuzz.
Maxwell, who plays for Punjab Kings (PBKS), has struggled to find his rhythm this season. He has scored only 41 runs in six matches, averaging a meager 8.20, and with a strike rate of just 100, he has been far from the destructive force he is known to be. Despite his batting failures, Maxwell has offered some support with the ball, taking four wickets at an economy rate of 8.46, but his efforts with the ball have been insufficient to make up for his poor batting display.
Maxwell’s fall from grace in IPL 2025 is stark. The Australian star, who has been one of the most dynamic players in recent IPL seasons, has failed to live up to expectations. His struggles with the bat have overshadowed his contributions with the ball. With his team facing mounting pressure, Sehwag’s comments strike a chord with many who expected more from the seasoned international player.
Sehwag’s comments were blunt: “He has been a shadow of his aggressive self. The expectations surrounding him have been high, but his performances just haven’t matched up.”
Liam Livingstone, another overseas star who joined PBKS with high expectations, has also failed to impress this season. Despite a half-century earlier in the tournament, he has overall tally of 87 runs in seven matches. This is at an average of 17.40 has been a huge letdown. The hefty ₹8.75 crore price tag on Livingstone hasn’t justified his performances so far, with the all-rounder unable to make a significant impact.
Livingstone has contributed with the ball, claiming two wickets in his part-time spin role. However, his batting has been his major area of concern. His inability to anchor innings or provide the much-needed firepower for his team has only fueled Sehwag’s frustration.
Sehwag pointed out the lack of genuine passion in Livingstone’s approach. He highlighted that even with a substantial price tag, the player’s desire to make a difference has been absent. “They’ve shown moments of brilliance, but overall, they haven’t delivered when the team needs them the most,” Sehwag remarked.
Sehwag has been outspoken throughout his career. He emphasized the importance of accountability and the desire to contribute to the team’s success. He lamented that in his experience, only a few former players showed the kind of dedication needed to succeed in the IPL.
“I’ve spent time with a lot of former players, but only 1 or 2 really gave me the feeling that, ‘Yes, I genuinely want to do something for the team’,” Sehwag said, clearly disappointed by the lack of commitment displayed by Maxwell and Livingstone.
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