The India Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction threw up plenty of surprises with Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell going to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a whopping Rs 14.25 crore. This huge bid was despite the fact that Maxwell only managed to score 108 runs in 13 innings in IPL 2020.
In an exclusive footage released by the Virat Kohli-led franchise on their official Twitter account, RCB revealed how the management planned to buy Maxwell, showing every moment of their mock auction, and team discussions for the Australian all-rounder.
Bold Diaries: IPL Mock Auction Planning for Glenn Maxwell
The strategy and planning that led to RCB getting The Big show, Glenn Maxwell, into our #ClassOf2021. #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPLAuction2021 #BidForBold pic.twitter.com/UPjM29npab
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 22, 2021
In the beginning, RCB coach Mike Hesson said that he expects Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be the only threat for Maxwell in terms of price. And this is precisely what happened at the auction – as RCB had to battle the three-time champions for the batsman.
“The reason why we like him is that he’s the most dangerous in overs 10-15. Since 2014 in the middle overs, his average is 28 with a strike rate of 161.5. That would do us beautifully,” Hesson said in the video.
“And he can be a bowling option. We need somebody in that top 6 that can bowl 3-4 overs, but Maxwell can bowl two. Those numbers are exceptional,” he further added.
It still remains to be seen how Maxwell fares for RCB in the upcoming season, but former Australia cricketer Brad Hogg has termed the move a “huge risk”.
