By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Glenn Maxwell, one of the most explosive and unconventional batters of his generation, has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a 14-year career that produced some unforgettable moments. But if there is one innings that will forever define his extraordinary talent and fighting spirit, it is his breathtaking double century against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
On November 7, 2023, at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Maxwell produced an innings that seemed to defy both cricketing logic and human endurance. Scoring an unbeaten 201 off just 128 balls, he rescued Australia from a seemingly hopeless position and secured a three-wicket victory in a match that had appeared destined for an Afghanistan triumph.
Australia were chasing 292 for victory when their campaign suddenly threatened to unravel. Four wickets had fallen for just 49 runs, and the situation became even more desperate as the five-time world champions slumped to 91 for 7.
Afghanistan, who had posted a competitive 291 for 5, were on the verge of registering one of the biggest victories in their cricketing history.
Then Maxwell took charge.
What made his innings even more extraordinary was the physical agony he endured. Suffering from severe cramps in his legs and a back spasm, Maxwell was at times unable to stand properly, let alone run between the wickets. He repeatedly lay on the ground to receive treatment but refused to abandon the fight.
Unable to run freely, he turned to an extraordinary display of power-hitting, repeatedly sending the ball over the boundary ropes. His unconventional stroke play and remarkable timing left the Afghan bowlers searching for answers.
At the other end, captain Pat Cummins provided invaluable support, remaining unbeaten on 12 off 68 balls as the pair added an unbroken 202 runs for the eighth wicket.
Maxwell eventually completed his double century with 21 fours and 10 sixes. Australia reached 293 for 7 in 46.5 overs, completing a remarkable victory that secured their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
His 201 not out remains the highest individual score by a non-opening batter in men’s ODI cricket and the first double century in a successful men’s ODI run chase.
Maxwell’s international career also included two ODI World Cup titles, in 2015 and 2023, and the T20 World Cup triumph in 2021. He represented Australia in 149 ODIs, scoring 3,990 runs, besides playing 130 T20 internationals and seven Tests.
Having retired from ODI cricket in 2025, Maxwell announced on November 3, 2026, that he was calling time on his international career. He said he wanted to preserve his body for the remaining tournaments of his professional career. He will continue playing franchise T20 cricket.
As he walks away from international cricket, his extraordinary 201 not out against Afghanistan remains a fitting reminder of what made him such a special cricketer.
It was more than a double century. It was an innings in which a player battling his own body refused to surrender, turning an almost certain defeat into one of the most memorable victories in World Cup history that eventually gave Australia the World Cup title.