IPL 2021: Graeme Swann weighs in on the new role Glenn Maxwell has adopted in RCB and claims that he is no longer the Big Show
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Graeme Swann
After a disappointing stint in the Indian Premier League 2020, the purchase of Glenn Maxwell by RCB for INR 14.25 crores during the IPL 2021 auction sparked a few questions. Since the 2015 edition, the Australian allrounder has been seriously underperforming in the tournament. But, Glenn Maxwell has been blazing out all guns for his new team Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing IPL 2021. Maxwell is now in excellent form for RCB and has settled into his new position well.
Maxwell has seemed comfortable and at ease since being assigned to bat at the crucial number 4 spot. He has taken his time to adjust in before igniting his arsenal of unconventional shots that bowlers dread. Graeme Swann, who felt that RCB had made a big mistake by wasting too much money on the Australian allrounder, has been astonished by Maxwell’s performance.
Maxwell’s most recent match-winning performance came at Chepauk versus Kolkata Knight Riders. On a tough wicket, his 49-ball 78, which included nine fours and three sixes, helped RCB set a huge 205-run target for KKR.
Graeme Swann speaks on Glenn Maxwell
Retired England off-spinner Graeme Swann claims Glenn Maxwell is succeeding in his current role as the third person at the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp, rather than playing the destroyer that the world has come to recognize him. Maxwell has come a long way since he was named the “Big Show.” According to Swann, Maxwell benefits from not trying to bear the whole innings on his back, who is ably supported by AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli.
“Glenn Maxwell has surprised me more than anyone. I thought it was a bonkers amount of money they spent on him in the auction. But they said ‘no, he has got the strike rate in the middle, we’re backing him. Sanjay Bangar has been the batting coach the last two times he has been among the runs. I think he feels happy, he feels relaxed. He played really good shots. He’s got his reverse hit back”, said Graeme Swann.
“He’s not the big cheese anymore, the big mac, the Big Show… whatever you call him. He’s nowhere near being the Big Show. But he’s got Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the team, and it really suits him, to be that third player who can just go out there and express himself, without having to carry the team. This suits him. He looks in a very good place, he looks very fit,” Swann added.
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Mohamed Azhar
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