Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has shared in his book, The Showman, how Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in his journey to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL. After a disappointing 2020 season with Punjab Kings, Maxwell felt uncertain about his future in the league. During India’s 2020-21 tour to Australia, Kohli’s quiet suggestion planted hope, hinting that RCB might bid for him, bringing him into a middle-order trio with Kohli and AB de Villiers.
Maxwell’s Rebirth at RCB: A New Beginning
After struggling in the IPL 2020 season with Punjab Kings, Glenn Maxwell was at a career crossroads.
His poor form had led to speculation about his future in the league, making him uncertain about the next season. However, during India’s 2020-21 tour to Australia, a casual conversation with Virat Kohli sparked a change.
Kohli’s ‘Blockbuster Trio Idea’
Kohli hinted at the idea of Maxwell joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and forming a powerful middle-order lineup with Kohli and AB de Villiers.
He mentioned “But I still felt there had to be a twist in this story, and there was. Who to thank? Virat Kohli. He wanted to whisper an idea to me: him, me, and AB de Villiers to be the middle order at Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021.”
Inspired by this vision, Maxwell entered the 2021 IPL auction with newfound anticipation. RCB eventually secured him for INR 14.25 crore, marking the start of what he calls, “This time, though, I was obsessed. When the paddle came down for me from RCB, I was the happiest cricketer in the world.”
The move was monumental for him as he saw it as the start of his “second act as a player.”
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Embracing the opportunity, Maxwell thrived in the RCB environment, delivering some of the best cricket of his career and cementing his place as one of the core players within the team.
Glenn Maxwell’s RCB Journey: From Stellar Starts to Struggles in 2024
Glenn Maxwell has played 52 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), scoring 1,266 runs with an impressive average of 28.77 and a strike rate of 159.24. He made a strong impact in his debut season for RCB in 2021, scoring 513 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 144.10, including six half-centuries.
In 2022, Maxwell’s strike rate surged to 169.10, and he reached his peak performance in 2023, with a strike rate of 183.49, amassing 400 runs in 14 matches. However, the 2024 season proved challenging, as he managed only 52 runs in 10 matches, averaging just 5.78.
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