Graeme Swann believes Glenn Maxwell is no longer performing the role of the destroyer the world has known him to, but instead, the batsman is flourishing in his new role of being the ‘third guy’ at the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp as he is the 2nd highest run-getter so far(176 runs) in IPL 2021 and has also scored joint-most fifties(2).
Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann weighed on the topic saying that the new role Glenn Maxwell is fitting into may not be at the level at which he performed earlier which fetched him the nickname ‘The Big Show’.
Graeme Swann Surprised Seeing Glenn Maxwell Acquire A Big Contract From RCB Despite Failures In Last Season
Glenn Maxwell on Sunday scored a magnificent 78 off 49 balls including nine fours and three sixes against Kolkata Knight Riders as in only the second time in IPL history he has registered back-to-back half-centuries, and Graeme Swann reckons not having to carry the entire innings entirely on his back is benefitting him, who receives able support from AB de Villiers and his captain Virat Kohli.
RCB invested a whopping ₹14.25 crore, which Graeme Swann feels is an extraordinarily large amount of money, but the former spinner feels the franchise seems to be getting the best out of Glenn Maxwell in a fresh season, which seems to be working well for everyone involved in the franchise.
“He 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,” Graeme Swann said on Star Sports.
There was considerable pressure on Glenn Maxwell to perform in IPL 2021 as he had a poor IPL outing in 2020 (for KXIP at UAE), managing just 108 runs in 13 matches averaging a pathetic 15.42.
The batting all-rounder had a breakout 2014 season, where he scored 552 runs in 16 matches including amassing 300 runs in 5 matches at UAE in 2014 even coming close to scoring a hundred thrice.
Graeme Swann: Glenn Maxwell Nowhere Near Being The Big Show
Graeme Swann weighed on the topic further saying that the new role Glenn Maxwell is fitting into may not be at the level at which he performed earlier, which fetched him the nickname ‘The Big Show’.
However, Graeme Swann is confident that Glenn Maxwell’s role at RCB is allowing him to discover a different side of the batsman in him, one that has helped him score 39, 56, and 78 in RCB’s three straight wins.
Glenn Maxwell has been dubbed “The Big Show” after receiving a lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) contract months after his international debut. He emerged as the “The Big Show” after heroics in IPL 2014 as he earned the title for his arrogant batting style and maverick shot selections.
“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,” Graeme Swann added.
Glenn Maxwell bagged the Orange Cap briefly for being the highest run-scorer in the ongoing IPL 2021. He has amassed 176 runs this season in 3 matches. But later Delhi opener Shikhar Dhawan scored 92 against Punjab Kings to amass 186 runs in 3 matches thereby bagging the Orange Cap.