Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell (Image Credit: Twitter)

Former India and Kolkata Knight Riders cricketer Gautam Gambhir has shared some interesting insights on why Australian swashbuckler Glenn Maxwell keeps getting picked by IPL franchises at a high price despite his repeated failures.

Glenn Maxwell has been a massive disappointment in the IPL over the years. The Australian all-rounder had a rollicking 2014 season for the Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings) but since he has managed to cross the 200-run tally in just one season.

Glenn Maxwell, Gautam Gambhir
Glenn Maxwell (Image Credit: Twitter)

Last year, Maxwell had a horrendous outing in the cash-rich league as he failed to hit a single six throughout the season. He was subsequently released by the Punjab Kings, only to be bought by Virat Kohli’s RCB for a whopping sum of Rs 14.25 crores.

So, why does Glenn Maxwell keeps getting picked despite being a proven failure in the IPL?

According to Gautam Gambhir, the Australian keeps getting picked because IPL franchises think he has an X-Factor. The former opener reckoned that had Maxwell performed well in the IPL, he would have been retained by a particular franchise for a considerable period of time, just like KKR’s Andre Russell.

“Had Maxwell done really well in the IPL, he wouldn’t have played for so many franchises, to be honest. He’s played for so many franchises because he’s not been consistent at all. We can’t keep talking about ‘he hasn’t had the freedom’ for the previous franchises he’s played for… when he played for Delhi, he had a lot of freedom. Most of these franchises and coaches – because they think he’s an X-factor – they want to try and provide him with the best platform where he can succeed,” said Gautam Gambhir on Star Sports.

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“The most unfortunate thing is that despite getting that platform, he has not succeeded, apart from that one season in 2014 where he set the IPL on fire. Had he done that, I think none of the franchises would have released him. Look at what Andre Russell has done for KKR and the amount of time he’s spent at one franchise.” he added.

Gautam Gambhir Explains Why Glenn Maxwell Keeps Getting Picked In The IPL
Glenn Maxwell. (Credits: Twitter)

Gambhir added that the only reason why franchises keep picking Glenn Maxwell is because of his performances for Australia and in the Big Bash League.

The former IPL-winning captain is hopeful that the “Big Show” will finally turn a corner this time around when he turns up for RCB.

”The only reason why a franchise releases you is because you haven’t performed. The more franchises you play for, it just shows you haven’t really been able to get settled in any of the franchises. Hopefully, he delivers this time around because every year, he keeps getting more and more money just because he does really well for Australia. So hopefully from RCB’s point of view, he can do really well. He’s probably got freedom more than any other player in the IPL. I feel he has been very disappointing throughout the IPL, but hopefully, this time around he can turn it.” he added.

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Glenn Maxwell has played 82 IPL games thus far in which he has managed just 1505 runs at an average of 22.13 and a strike rate of 154.68 with just six 50+ scores.

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