IPL 2021: Glenn Maxwell Is Playing More Conservatively Rather Than Trying To Play Big Shots: Brad Hogg

This season, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been phenomenal for Royal Challengers Bangalore after he was bought for a whopping sum of INR 14.25 crore in IPL auction 2021.

Maxwell had a flop show for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) last season, and before joining RCB, the Victorian batsman poorly averaged 22.13 in 82 games. As a result, there were many to question the Bangalore outfit for the player’s selection.

Glenn Maxwell scored 407 runs at the strike rate of 145.35

The 33-year-old shut his critics with his incredulous performance with the bat and some gambles with the ball in few matches. Maxwell has scored 407 runs from 12 games at the strike rate of 145.35.

Maxwell’s inclusion in RCB’s squad has helped him revive his IPL career and solve the team’s lacklustre middle-order as he balances it equivalently.

Glenn Maxwell has been given clear direction from Simon Katich: Brad Hogg

Former Australian bowler Bradd Hogg said that because of AB de Villiers’ availability down the order, Maxwell can play conservatively and noted that the Australian had decreased the number of hitting sixes.

“Knowing that AB de Villiers is there behind him, he can play a little bit more conservative. Now, if we look over the years, the percentage of fours to sixes has quietly dropped, so he hits more fours in 2021 compared to the other years,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel. 

“So, he is playing more conservatively rather than trying to play the big shots. What that’s doing is setting him up for the back end where he can be a little more aggressive in those final 10 overs but again, there he’s not trying to hit as many sixes as in previous years.

“Coach Simon Katich, when he was on board in that Indian leg, he went up to Glenn Maxwell, and he said, ‘if we select you in the IPL, these are your boundaries. This is what is expected from you.’ He has been given clear direction, and virtually he has been given the ultimatum. This is your last chance in the IPL. If you don’t perform here, well, then don’t expect to get picked in the auction because your standard has not been there,” he added. 

Maxwell could be retained by RCB ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2022.

Also Read: Will RCB Retain Glenn Maxwell or AB de Villiers in IPL 2022 Auctions? Asks Ajay Jadeja