GLENN MAXWELL HAS FINALLY CRACKED THE IPL CODE

Glen Maxwell was one of the main talking points of the 2020 edition of the IPL. Being the power-hitter he is, a lot was expected of him, as he was going back to his own Kings XI Punjab (now known as the Punjab Kings) where he had his best IPL stint a few years ago. However, things didn’t go as planned as the Australian ended the tournament with a grand total of 0 sixes. The management wasn’t happy with Maxwell and released him before the beginning of IPL 2021.

Even with the poor performances for the past few IPL’s, Maxwell was swooped in by RCB for a whopping Rs. 14.5 CR and now Maxwell is seemingly showing his worth. With a scintillating 78 off 49 balls, the flamboyant Aussie was back at his brilliant best yesterday. This is his 2^nd consecutive fifty-plus score this IPL and it certainly doesn’t seem like the last.

After a shaky start from the men from Bangalore where they lost both captain Virat Kohli and youngster Rajat Patidar in the 2^nd over of the game, KKR seemed to be very much with a stranglehold of the game. But Glen Maxwell had other ideas.

Yesterday, he walked onto the pitch in the 2^nd over of the game, he had a major hurdle in front of him at a stage of the match he isn’t accustomed to facing. But we saw a different Glenn Maxwell. .A Glenn Maxwell who was calm, composed, and played all the right shots to help RCB post a brilliant total on the board.

He started striking the ball from the word ‘go’ and played some brilliant shots to get his well-deserved fifty. He, along with Devdutt Padikkal provided the much-needed stand for RCB, which was taken forward by the ever-dangerous AB de Villiers as they put forth a mammoth total of 204 in 20 overs.

Aside from the explosiveness on show, the 32-year old also showed exemplary temperament today when the men in red needed it the most.

A major reason why Maxwell is doing a great job is the position he is batting in. He walks in at No.4 and is followed by de Villiers who can play both the roles of an anchor and an aggressor and ease the pressure off of Maxwell to play his natural game. With enough assistance from the other batsmen in the line-up, you’ll see the man of the moment continuing to thrive.

The RCB skipper applauds Glenn Maxwell's half-century 👏

Virat Kohli truly enjoys his teammates doing well 😁#IPL2021 #RCBvKKR pic.twitter.com/tEhhgLSZEk

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) April 18, 2021

And RCB’s sensational total was too much to handle for the men in purple as they crumbled under pressure for 166 and gave RCB their third consecutive victory in this edition of the IPL. Glen Maxwell seems to be the X-factor for the men in red who were struggling last season without an elite batsman in the middle order. Even with numerous quality batsmen playing for the franchise down the years, RCB has never got a player who could consistently win games for them like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers or even Chris Gayle in the past. Now with Maxwell in the line-up, RCB well and truly look like a complete batting side. Within the 3 games, Maxi has somehow found a way to silence all his critics. The backing he gets from his side might be one of the main reasons why his performances have been top drawer this season. The franchise has immense confidence in the Aussie and believed him to win games for them and Maxwell is doing just that.

“Glenn Maxwell has taken to this team like duck to water.”  

 

Kohli was raving about his Aussie counterpart after his domineering display and if the best player in the sport is happy, no complaints. RCB fans, this year may be your year.