IPL 2021: RCB Put A Lot Of Money And Faith In Glenn Maxwell, He Had To Deliver - Gautam Gambhir

Former India batsman, Gautam Gambhir lavished rich praises for Glenn Maxwell as the Australian all-rounder helped his new IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore win its first couple of games of IPL 2021.

Despite a poor season with Punjab last year, the Virat Kohli-led franchise roped Maxwell for a whopping INR 14.25  Crore in the February auction for the 14th edition of the tournament. And he has repaid the faith the team showed in him.

The right-hander played two crucial innings: 39 off 28 against Mumbai Indians and 59 off 41 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, on difficult batting pitches while facing challenging bowling attacks.

Gautam Gambhir reckons it was important for RCB and Maxwell that he comes good in the early part of the tournament, which will give him confidence for the rest of the season.

“It was important for RCB. They put a lot of money and lot of faith in him. He had to deliver. Good that he has started the tournament very well. He is continuing from that first innings,” Gautam Gambhir said while speaking with Star Sports.

He was very smart as well, didn’t take any risk against Rashid: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir points out that the Aussie batter intelligently played against SRH’s trump bowler, Rashid Khan. Maxwell took the Afghanistan leg-spinner for 11 runs from 11 balls, hitting one boundary, and just 3 dots balls while rotating the strike on others. Instead, Maxwell attacked the other spinner, Shahbaz Nadeem for a flurry of boundaries, before teeing off at the end against T Natarajan and Jason Holder.

“It was a very important innings (against SRH). it was an easy wicket, especially against Rashid Khan. He was very smart as well. He didn’t take any risk against Rashid. And the most important thing, he stayed till the end,” the former opener applauded.

Virat Kohli’s side takes the top spot after two wins in two games; they take on Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday afternoon.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Deepak Hooda Calls KL Rahul Very Supportive, Says It Was Fun Batting With Punjab Kings Skipper Against Rajasthan Royals