Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player Glenn Maxwell openly admitted requesting team captain Faf du Plessis and coaches for a short break. His aim was to refresh mentally and physically before the match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) scheduled on Monday, April 15th.
The 35-year-old has struggled in the IPL 2024, making 32 runs at an average of 5.33 and three ducks in six games. Maxwell’s lack of runs has been unexpected given his outstanding form in white-ball cricket during the previous IPL season.
He made 400 runs for RCB in 2023, with an average of over 33 and a strike rate of 183.49, and carried that momentum into the ODI World Cup later that year, helping Australia win its sixth title.
Glenn Maxwell stated after the RCB-SRH battle, as cited by ESPNcricinfo:
“For me, personally, it was a pretty easy decision. I went to Faf [du Plessis] and the coaches after the last game and said I felt it was probably time we tried someone else. I have been in this situation in the past where you can keep playing and get yourself deeper into a hole. I think now is actually a good time for me to give myself a bit of a mental and physical break, get my body right. If I’m required to get in during the tournament, I can hopefully get back into a really solid mental and physical space where I can still have an impact.”
Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell added:
“We have had a pretty big deficiency straight after the powerplay, which has been my area of strength over the last couple of seasons. I felt like I wasn’t contributing in a positive way with the bat, and with the results and the position we find ourselves on the table, I think it’s a good time to give someone else an opportunity to show their wares, and hopefully, someone can make that spot their own.”
Glenn Maxwell
Unfortunately for RCB, the decision to rest Maxwell had no effect, as they suffered their sixth consecutive defeat and remain at the bottom of the points standings.
The RCB bowlers faced the humiliation of allowing the highest-ever IPL total, as SRH pounded their way to 287/3 in 20 overs for a 25-run victory.
“The management here has been outstanding” – Glenn Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell praised the RCB management and expressed his desire to complete the competition successfully if and when he returns to the team at a later point.
The Australian star has been with RCB since the 2021 IPL season, appearing in 48 games.
“The management here has been outstanding. We’ve been working together on taking a fair bit of ownership and the off-field leadership staff is trying to help out as much as they can. Unfortunately, runs just haven’t come the way they should have when you are in really good form. I don’t think I’ve had a better six months in cricket leading into this tournament. So it’s frustrating when it ends up like this. But if I can get my body and my mind right, there’s no reason I can’t finish the tournament well if I do get another opportunity.”
Glenn Maxwell
RCB’s playoff dream barely survives after losing six out of seven matches. Every remaining game becomes crucial. They must triumph in all seven left.
Their next challenge comes against KKR at the iconic Eden Gardens on Sunday, April 21st.