Glenn Maxwell, widely regarded as the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) perennial underperformer, has finally silenced his critics in IPL 2021. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the Australian all-rounder played another critical knock in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) 38-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He hit nine fours and three sixes in his 78-run innings off 49 balls. RCB captain Virat Kohli praised the 32-year-old and AB de Villiers after the match. The pair were crucial for RCB, as their outstanding batting set KKR a target of 205 runs.
“Maxwell was fantastic, and AB was close behind. It’s hard to deter him when he enters with that kind of shape and flow. On that pitch, which slowed down, we got 40 extra runs. Maxi has adapted to his new teammates like a duck to water “, Kohli said during the post-match press conference.
“AB cares about the squad, and they made the difference today,” he said.
Maxwell joined RCB after a huge bidding war during the IPL 2021 Player Auction. For Rs 14.25 crore, he was purchased.
Kohli praised his bowlers in particular, especially Mohammed Siraj, Kyle Jamieson, and Harshal Patel.
“Siraj’s handover to Russell was excellent. Russell is someone he has a background with. After the Australia tour, he’s a different bowler, and he bowled the game out. In the end, Harshal has such clarification, and Jamieson bowled well as well. That’s why we’ve gotten three out of three “, Kohli said.
The RCB won the toss and chose to bat first. Maxwell stabilised the innings after a shaky start that saw India captain Virat Kohli dismissed in the second over. He formed solid partnerships with Devdutt Padikkal and AB de Villiers.
RCB’s innings was sealed by the South African veteran’s unbeaten 76 runs off 34 balls, which included nine fours and three sixes. RCB finished their innings with a score of 204 for four in 20 overs.
KKR got off to a good start, but the opposition’s bowling line-up soon put them under pressure. Kyle Jamieson took three wickets as they were reduced to 166 for eight in 20 overs, a 38-run defeat. For the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal Patel each took two wickets, while Washington Sundar dismissed one batsman.
Maxwell now leads the Orange Cap race with 176 runs from three matches after the victory.