Maxwell takes a break for his mental and physical health in IPL

Maxwell, 35, scored just 32 runs in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first six games and asked the management to be left out of Monday's 25-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He also took a break to protect his mental health in 2019.

"For me, personally, it was a pretty easy decision," Maxwell said.

"I went to see [captain] Faf du Plessis and the coaches after the last match and I said I felt it was probably time we tried someone else

"J. 've been in this situation in the past where you can stay. play and dig yourself deeper into a hole."

Maxwell, who has taken four wickets this season, is entered the tournament in good form with the bat, averaging 42.26 in 17 T20s since November with a strike rate of 185.85.

He scored the fastest century in 50-over World Cup history against the Netherlands, then made a maiden double century against Afghanistan as the Australia won their sixth title

"I don't think I've had a better six months of cricket before this tournament. , so it's frustrating when it ends like that," Maxwell said.

"T20 cricket can be like that sometimes - it's a pretty fickle game.

"I felt like not contributing positively with the bat, and with the results and the position we find ourselves on the table, it's the right time to give an opportunity to someone else.

"If I can get my body and Attention back, there is no reason why I can't finish the tournament well if I have another opportunity."

Maxwell's decision to step away temporarily is the latest in the sport as players attempt to juggle the amount of cricket available to play due to the increase in the number of global franchise leagues and the higher mental and physical demands this places on them.

England Test captain Ben Stokes took a five-month break from cricket in 2021 and later said to BBC Sport that he feared he would never play. Again.

When Stokes withdrew from one-day international matches - a decision he reversed for last year's World Cup - he said he hoped the decision would be a "wake-up call" to authorities and that the players were "not cars that you can fill up and drive away".

Earlier this month, he asked not to be considered for the World Cup This summer's T20 so he can focus on his fitness. ...