Glenn Maxwell Picture Credit: RCB
There are few more thrilling sights in cricket than Maxwell in full flow, and he has showcased his explosive firepower regularly at the international stage. Bangalore will rely a lot on Maxwell’s batting skills in the upcoming IPL season since he will be the most experienced player in their lower middle-order and will have the added responsibility of finishing games for his team.
Over the years, the Aussie all-rounder has repeatedly failed to live up to expectations in the Indian Premier League. Last season, he scored just 108 runs in 11 innings at a below-par strike rate of 101.88. But such is the aura of Maxwell that he was at the center of a bidding war at the IPL 2021 auction even after enduring such a poor season.
We take a look at 3 reasons why Glenn Maxwell could prove to be a good purchase for Royal Challengers Bangalore:
1. Maxwell could prove to be the X-factor player for RCB
Glenn Maxwell could play the role of a floater in the RCB batting line-up, something which RCB have not tried in the past due to the absence of such a dynamic player in their squad. Maxwell’s fearless batting approach coupled with his devastating six-hitting prowess allows him to change the course of a match in a matter of few overs. If Maxwell can get his act together and find the form that he has shown while playing for Australia and Melbourne Stars in Big Bash, he might just lead RCB to their first-ever IPL title.
2. Maxwell adds more firepower and stability to the RCB middle-order
Last season, AB de Villiers carried RCB’s middle-order almost single-handedly for the majority of the campaign. This season, ABD will have The Big Show for company and the duo will form one of the most deadly batting pairs in the league. If ABD and Maxwell get in their groove and fire on all cylinders together, then they will solve the longstanding middle-order problems for the Bengaluru-based franchise.
3. Maxwell’s return to form
Maxwell has been in great form since IPL 2020’s conclusion in the UAE in November. He played a number of match-winning innings for Australia and showcased his big-hitting abilities in the limited-overs series against India. He needs to step up his game in IPL now and prove his critics wrong. Maxwell has all the attributes required to become successful as RCB’s batting mainstay in the middle-order. But it remains to be seen how he performs for his new franchise.