IPL 2026: 3 Teams That Must Target Glenn Maxwell

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell fell out of favor as Punjab Kings (PBKS) released him ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. The runners-up didn’t renew his ₹4.2 crore contract after his poor T20 returns. The 37-year-old scored only 48 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 97.95 and took four wickets in seven games at an economy of 27.50.

He was similarly out of touch for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2024, managing 52 runs in nine innings and six wickets in 10 matches. Still, Maxwell has been a proven IPL performer, with 2,819 runs in 141 matches at a strike rate of 155.14 and 18 fifties, along with 41 wickets in 85 innings at an economy of 8.29. Across 488 T20s, he has 10,848 runs and 194 wickets.

Recently, he hammered 47 and 62* against West Indies and South Africa and took three wickets in a T20I series against the Proteas. Teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR), SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), and RCB could look to sign him at the IPL 2026 auction.

Here are the 3 teams that should go after Glenn Maxwell in the IPL 2026 auction:

#1 CSK

Chennai Super Kings have a long history of trusting experienced players and consistently maximizing their impact in the IPL. With Glenn Maxwell expected to enter the IPL 2026 auction at his base price, CSK may view this as the perfect chance to add him to their squad. The team is also looking for suitable replacements for all-rounders Rachin Ravindra and Ravindra Jadeja in the playing XI.

Maxwell’s ability to bowl in the powerplay makes him a strong like-for-like option for Ravindra. His off-spin could prove valuable on the spin-friendly surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Along with that, his aggressive batting would strengthen CSK’s finishing unit, making him a potentially smart acquisition.

#2 KKR

With the largest purse available for the IPL 2026 auction, the Kolkata Knight Riders could be strong contenders to target Glenn Maxwell. The franchise has already released veteran all-rounder Andre Russell and is expected to replace him with Cameron Green. However, Green hasn’t bowled regularly in recent months, which may prompt KKR to consider Maxwell as a reliable backup option.

Much like Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, the spin-friendly conditions at Eden Gardens could work in Maxwell’s favor. Without Russell, KKR currently depend heavily on Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh to finish games. Maxwell’s explosive batting and utility with the ball can help address that gap.

#3 GT

The Gujarat Titans (GT) will be in search of a strong replacement for Sherfane Rutherford, whom they traded to the Mumbai Indians (MI) before the IPL 2026 auction. They have also let go of overseas options like Dasun Shanaka and Karim Janat. Given the large boundaries in Ahmedabad, Maxwell could be a valuable addition for the franchise.

His off-spin, combined with Rashid Khan’s skills, can trouble opposition batters at the Narendra Modi Stadium. With Rashid not operating at his peak lately, Maxwell’s overs could provide crucial support on tough days. Along with his bowling, his powerful hitting makes him well-suited to clear long boundaries, adding strength to GT’s middle order.