After a couple of forgettable seasons and an especially glum run with PBKS, Glenn Maxwell, affectionately “Big Show” to many fans, stunned everyone. Having been released by Punjab Kings, he announced that Glenn Maxwell pulled out of IPL 2026 auction. His decision not only ends a colourful chapter of IPL mayhem but also opens an unusual vacancy in the middle-order all-rounder market. Unsurprisingly, teams are suddenly scrambling to reassess alternatives to Glenn Maxwell, wondering who can possibly fill the void he leaves behind.
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Maxwell’s Twist in a Roller-Coaster IPL Journey
Maxwell’s IPL story has always been a cocktail of brilliance, chaos, and the occasional cricketing miracle. From his breakout days with Delhi, to that electric 2014 season with Punjab, to his redemption arc with RCB, he was a perennial headline-maker. But after an injury-disrupted stint with PBKS last season, followed by limited opportunities and dwindling returns, he received the news: he was being released. Only days later came the real shocker, Glenn Maxwell pulled out of IPL 2026 auction entirely.
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In his announcement, Maxwell spoke with warmth and gratitude, almost as though he were signing off from a long-running TV series. His message felt final, enough for franchises to reluctantly accept they now have to look at alternatives to Glenn Maxwell. And with a middle-order enforcer who bowls quality off-spin suddenly unavailable, the auction dynamics have been flipped on their head.
A New Shopping List：Who Replaces Maxwell?
Maxwell’s absence means teams must rethink balance, power-hitting, and matchup bowling. As strategists reshuffle their whiteboards, three names have risen to the top as the clearest alternatives to Glenn Maxwell — not identical, but each offering elements of what the Aussie once brought to the table.
#1 Cooper Connolly
Perhaps the most exciting long-term investment on the list is Cooper Connolly, the young Aussie left-hander who has made waves with his bold stroke-play and increasingly reliable left-arm spin. His BBL performances showcased a player unafraid of the big stage, and his recent outings against India A further underlined his potential on subcontinental pitches.
A STAR IS BORN IN AUSTRALIAN CRICKET – COOPER CONNOLLY. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/4f3w3K7gDy
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 23, 2025
Connolly brings a different flavour to the pool of alternatives to Glenn Maxwell, not proven yet, but brimming with upside. His versatility means he can bat virtually anywhere, while his left-arm spin adds tactical value, especially on turning decks. And now, with Glenn Maxwell pulled out of IPL 2026 auction shaking up recruitment plans, Connolly suddenly finds himself on scouting notebooks that may not previously have included him.
#2 Liam Livingstone
It’s no surprise that Liam Livingstone is now one of the hottest names being discussed. His explosive hitting range, monstrous six-smashing ability, and the added gift of bowling both leg-spin and off-spin instantly make him the most natural alternative to Glenn Maxwell. Livingstone has done the job before for RCB, performing fearlessly against both pace and spin.
ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕒𝕘𝕖 in the final over! 💥
Liam Livingstone went absolute mad, shattering the tournament record with 33 runs in an over and shaking the Warriorz fortress to its core! 🔥#DPWorldILT20 #AllInForCricket #WhereTheWorldPlays pic.twitter.com/aPYuMqnOe6
— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) December 3, 2025
His recent ILT20 form, striking cleanly, bowling smart overs, has only sharpened his credentials. If a franchise wants someone who can walk in at No. 5 and flip a match inside three overs, Livingstone is the pick. He mirrors the volatility and the match-winning upside Maxwell once offered, which is why his name inevitably appears in every conversation triggered by Glenn Maxwell pulled out of IPL 2026 auction.
#3 Michael Bracewell
Another compelling candidate is Michael Bracewell, the Kiwi all-rounder whose counterattacking batting and steady off-spin make him a surprisingly well-rounded option. Previously part of RCB’s setup, he’s shown he can play spin comfortably in India and can take pace on when required. His all-surface reliability is exactly the sort of attribute coaches crave during a turbulent auction reshuffle.
– NZ were 110/5 when he walked in.
– Smashed 140 off just 78 balls like it was backyard cricket.
Michael Bracewell madness in Hyderabad https://t.co/n5l0GadqiI pic.twitter.com/LYBHraRR7k
— Sweet (@Lommy0Tatham) October 19, 2025
Bracewell doesn’t try to replicate Maxwell’s flamboyance; instead, he offers calm control, an anchor who can also bowl tight, matchup-friendly overs in the middle. In many ways, he fits the role teams now desperately need as alternatives to Glenn Maxwell, especially after Glenn Maxwell pulls out of IPL 2026 auction left franchises reconsidering the balance of their playing XIs. Given his price range and skill set, he could be one of the smartest buys of the season.
Final Words
As franchises redraw their plans and pore over highlight reels, the question morphs from shock to strategy: who carries the middle-order spark forward? Whether they go for Livingstone’s chaos, Bracewell’s balance, or Connolly’s promise, Maxwell’s absence has redefined this year’s auction narrative. The one certainty? His decision has created a fiercely competitive bidding war for those seen as the best alternatives to Glenn Maxwell — a chase that may shape the next generation of IPL all-round dominance.
