Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
What a turnaround it has been for Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell. While he was struggling to get going for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2020, this year his presence has been a breath of fresh air for Royal Challengers Bangalore and one of the main reasons behind the Virat Kohli-led side's consistent performance which has seen them enter the Playoffs.
While the Big Show had scored just 108 runs in 13 matches in the tournament last year at a dismal average of 15.42 and a rather uncharacteristic strike rate of 101.88, this year he has been more like the Maxwell fans know, having accumulated 407 runs at an average of over 40.70 and a strike rate of 145.35. In fact, this is only the second year where he has scored over 400 runs - the first came in 2014 where he smashed 552 runs in 16 matches.
However, post his Player of the Match worthy performance when Maxwell (57 runs from 33 balls) was quizzed about his innings, he said that had been doing well in professional cricket for the last 2 overs. Clarifying his statement on social media, he wrote, "I played well in the last 2 years in professional cricket (not IPL)… makes a difference in quotes doesn’t it #iknowistruggledlastyearinIPL."
Check out Maxwell's tweet here:
With 16 points in 12 matches, Bangalore are in with a chance to finish inside the top two and get that extra match in case they have a bad day in the Playoffs. Skipper Virat Kohli has already sensed that chance and said that with two matches to go, expect the side to play more fearlessly as they can probably get a game extra if the need arises by virtue of finishing in top two.
"[To have] eight wins out of 12 games is a great campaign. We have two more opportunities to finish in the top two. That should give us the motivation to play even more fearlessly," said Kohli after the 6-run win over Punjab Kings on Sunday which sealed them a place in the Playoffs.
Bangalore would hope that Maxwell takes his rich run of form into the remaining matches as they look to end the team's search for a maiden title.