Australia batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will be seen playing for the Bangalore franchise in the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 League starting on April 9.
The 32-year-old had sparked a bidding war in the Indian T20 League 2021 auction before getting sold to the Virat Kohli-led side for a whopping amount of 14.25 crore.
Bangalore were desperate to sign Maxwell despite his disastrous campaign for Punjab in the last edition of the cash-rich league. The swashbuckling batter could only amass 108 runs in 13 matches at an average of 15.42 with a strike rate of 101.88.
Maxwell will be eager to turn things around this time around and here are three reasons why Maxwell could have a successful campaign for the Bangalore side:
Presence of ABD and Kohli in the squad
The presence of batting stalwarts like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the Bangalore line-up will give Glenn Maxwell the freedom to play his natural game in the upcoming edition of the league. More often than and not, the Australian struggled under the burden of responsibility while playing for the Punjab side in the previous editions. Maxwell will not be the marquee foreign player at Bangalore and therefore he can take his time to rediscover his best form in the Indian T20 League 2021.
Playing at good batting pitches in India
Bangalore will play most of their upcoming Indian T20 League 2021 matches in Kolkata and Ahmedabad. The pitches at the Eden Gardens and the Motera Stadium could suit Glenn Maxwell’s strokeplay. The surfaces at both these grounds will allow Glenn Maxwell to trust the pitch more often and unleash his big shots. Playing alongside Kohli and ABD, Maxwell will also enjoy his batting while forming formidable partnerships with the other two greats.
Glenn Maxwell's role at Bangalore would be a flexible one
The Australian all-rounder could be given a flexible role in the playing XI, where the X-factor cricketer can be used more effectively, depending on the team’s situation. Maxwell has performed exceptionally well when he is given the liberty to play the way he wants. With the likes of Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers likely to face most of the deliveries, Maxwell would just need to express himself and have some fun in the middle without bothering too much about the match situation. The 32-year-old will also have an opportunity to contribute with his off-spinners, assisting Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar in the bowling department.
Feature image courtesy: Marty MELVILLE / AFP
