IPL 2021: Michael Vaughan explains why RCB is the right franchise for Maxwell
Glenn Maxwell’s performance in the IPL has always been a hot discussion. Despite all his abilities and big-hitting prowess, the Australian batsman has not been able to leave an impression in the biggest T20 league of the world.
His struggle was evident during 2020 when he ended up with a record low season (108 urns in 13 innings) that did not even have a single six. Ahead of 2021, Maxwell was dropped by his franchise Punjab Kings. But showing trust in his capabilities, the Royal Challengers Bangalore shelled out a hefty sum for the Aussie in the IPL Auction, and their decision has started to pay already.
Maxwell has amassed more runs in just three outings in 2021 (176 runs) than he did in the whole of 2020. His 49-ball 78 after his team had lost two wickets early proved match-winning for RCB against Kolkata Knight Riders, and he seems to have picked up his rhythm finally. This was his second half-century in the season.
Why RCB is the “right franchise” for Glenn Maxwell, explains Michael Vaughan
After his impressive performances in 2021, former England skipper, Michael Vaughan, feels that RCB is the correct franchise for Maxwell. “Glenn Maxwell is an incredible cricketer. He has never really flown in the IPL. Like we said about Moeen Ali, Chennai appears to be the spiritual fit for him and the right kind of franchise for Moeen Ali. I really feel, RCB is the right franchise for Glenn Maxwell,” he said while speaking with Cricbuzz.
Explaining the reason behind his opinion, Vaughan told “Here, he is under the radar, because you have got Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, he is like at the third position, whereas in other teams, he is the one from who usually expectations are high.”
“But now he can sneak under the radar and probably he is not getting as much attention as he gets at other teams. Because there is Virat there, and there is AB de Villiers there. I think it’s been a smart move. Maxwell is a great signing this year for RCB,”, he added.
‘Dealing with Andre Russell can be tricky’ – Michael Vaughan opines on his recent performances
Andre Russell has made his reputation as one of the most brutal hitters of the cricket ball. On his day, the Jamaican can single-handedly take down opposition and there is no target that is beyond his reach.
Although, that Russell who used to hit big ones for fun seems to have gone somewhere. His returns in the IPL have been decreasing, while his big-hitting has not come as often as it once used to.
He got two single-digit scores to start with (5 and 9) and while Russell managed to hit a few from the middle of the bat against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday (18th April), his knock could not take his side across.
He is obviously someone who cannot go down: Michael Vaughan
Speaking about how handling someone like Russell can be a tricky affair, Michael Vaughan said “When you got player like Andre Russell, who has been a superstar, but on the field, when the ball is coming to him, he is always using his feet. He is obviously someone who cannot go down. It’s a very clever and careful aspect which Eoin Morgan will have to manage,”
“When he is at his best, he is great. But when you see him on the field, and when he is bowling, he appears to be struggling. While batting he is not taking the twos. He needed to take the twos in the 19th over. Because you want him back on strike. Very difficult to manage for Brendon McCullum and Eoin Morgan,” he added.
“I think in modern-day cricket, you need 9-10 players in a team who are absolutely agile on the field. But when you see KKR on the field, they don’t look electric. It’s a difficult one. How can you leave Russell? But when you look at him on the field, and when he is bowling. It’s a bad look for the team when you got a player who is really struggling with his body,” Vaughan concluded.
KKR lost their last game to RCB by a convincing margin of 38 runs and are set to face Chennai Super Kings on 21st April.
