Picture Credit: X/IPL
The Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locked horns with the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match 30 of IPL 2024. However, the Bengaluru-based franchise succumbed to the SRH challenge after the latter posted the highest-ever total in IPL history, which the hosts failed to defend.
Moreover, the RCB missed the services of Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell in order to make some changes in the side. However, this move of Maxwell was widely criticised, the all-rounder himself later revealed the reason behind it. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Maxwell said that he informed the leadership group that “it was time to probably try someone else”.
“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,” Maxwell said at the presser after fifth straight defeat in IPL 2024.
“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 result 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 pot their own,” he further added.
He has been unable to play fast bowling, period: Sunil Gavaskar on Maxwell
The 35-year-old, who has struggled to score big with the bat and hasn’t come out good with the ball either, was also criticised by Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. The former Indian cricketer highlighted that the Aussie all-rounder is unable to play fast bowling, which has been one of the points of RCB not getting wins.
“He has been unable to play fast bowling, period. Balls bouncing to his chest or shoulder height are troubling him. He can whack every ball below his waist height, but not the ones above that,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
After a 25-run defeat against the SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday, April 15, the RCB continued to reel at the bottom most spot in the IPL 2024 standings. The Blue and Red side have registered a solitary win so far in the season, which came against the Punjab Kings in March in Bengaluru.