Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who had failed to hit a single maximum in IPL 2021, has finally opened up on hitting the first six in IPL 2021. He said that hitting a six in IPL after as many as 1079 days was like getting a monkey off his bat. Notably, Maxwell looked good while he was in the middle for his 28 ball 39 in his debut game for RCB. His stay in the middle included two sixes and three boundaries including a 100-metre hit over the fence.
The star Australian cricketer had scored 108 runs in 13 matches in IPL 2020 for the Punjab Kings. Such was his performance that the "Bigshow" received harsh criticism from some of the former cricketers and pundits. Former India opener Virender Sehwag even called him a "10-crore cheerleader." But despite his poor performance, RCB went after him in the auctions and included him for a whopping INR 14.25 crores. The 32-year-old did not disappoint them at least in the first match.
Nice to start well and to have the captain at the other end: Maxi
"It certainly felt good. I did not hit a single six last year, I did remind Virat of me not hitting a six last year. To hit one out of the middle, it is a bit of monkey off the back. It is nice to start well and to have the captain at the other end, it makes my job a little easier," Maxwell told his teammate Harshal Patel during an interaction after the match.
Meanwhile, Harshal too opened up on his maiden 5-wicket haul in T20s that played a huge role in RCB starting off with a win.
"Obviously, it felt great. It was my first fifer ever in T20s, that felt special and this coming against such a good batting lineup, it was cherry on top. The ball started tailing a bit so I wanted to hit them on the toes and if they miss, it will hit the stumps and I knew if they are waiting for the yorkers, my slower balls can be really deceptive. So, I was just trying to mix it up and get as many wickets as I can," Harshal said.
"I told AB de Villiers when I got there that I am there with you and we are going to win this game. Obviously, whenever you hit the winning runs, it does not matter whether it is a boundary or a single, it is a special feeling. Great day on the field," he added.