Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir. Image-PTI.

Former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir has reckoned that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) could look at ‘X factor’ Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell in the upcoming IPL Auction 2021. Glenn Maxwell popularly known as the ‘big show’ has been wanted by franchises in the auction but hasn’t been able to produce such big performances in spite of going for a lot of money.

Maxwell had a standout season in 2014 for the Kings XI Punjab when the tournament was held in UAE but couldn’t replicate his form in the following years. He has set his base price for INR 2 crore for the upcoming IPL auction after being released by Punjab last year owing to the dismal performance of 108 runs at a strike-rate of 101.88 from 13 matches in IPL 2020.

Glenn Maxwell IPL 2021 Auction
Glenn Maxwell. [Image Credits: Twitter]

Gautam Gambhir Points Out Team Balance

Gautam Gambhir pointed out the team balance of  RCB and KXIP not complete which might tempt them to go for Maxwell in the auction. He mentioned that these two teams will be active in the auctions after releasing a lot of players before the auction. He opined that Maxwell will be looked at by RCB to be used at the middle order in the auctions.

“There will be a couple of teams who will be eager to go into the auctions and buy the players they want. There is Kings XI Punjab, there is RCB, who will be looking to get some players to get their balance right. These sides will be very, very active in the auctions,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports during the lunch break on Day 1 of the 2nd Test between India and England.

“There are teams who will be looking at someone like Maxwell. Surely, RCB will be looking at him. That is my personal opinion. Anything can happen at the auctions. But I feel Maxwell will go to RCB,” Gautam Gambhir added.

Royal Challengers Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Credits: Twitter)

Maxwell’s Record At Chinnaswamy Might Get The Nod –  Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir opined that Maxwell would fit in as X Factor in the middle order of RCB with Virat and Padikkal opening the batting. De Villiers could come in next, and Maxwell can be used as a floater in the smaller boundaries at Chinnaswamy stadium where he has fared out decently till now.

“Because if I look at their entire batting line-up they have got, Virat Kohli will definitely be looking to open the batting, because that is where he has been most successful. Padikkal has done very, very well for them in the previous season. Then they have got AB, and then they can have someone like Maxwell – the X factor,” Gautam Gambhir explained.

“And at Chinnaswamy, where he has done very well. Whenever he has played at Chinnaswamy, he has won games for Australia. So, I think, Maxwell will go to RCB. Depending on how much RCB will give for him, but I feel he would go for a lot of money,” he added.

gautam gambhir
Gautam Gambhir. [photo:AFP]
Gautam Gambhir had won two IPL trophies for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2014.

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