Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have started well to the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) with four consecutive victories. They recently crushed Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 10 wickets to remain unbeaten in the tournament.
Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar talked about RCB's batting line-up and said Glenn Maxwell's current form has taken off pressure from Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. He said now RCB has two 360-degree players with the inclusion of Maxwell.
"It's great that Maxwell has come good. It has taken the pressure off Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. They know that they can rely on one more batsman to get the runs. Last time, there was Padikkal at the start of the innings who was getting the runs but this time, Maxwell has been batting extraordinarily," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
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"You could possibly say that now, RCB have another 360-degree player in Maxwell. Look at the way when he's not just reverse-sweeping but also scooping the ball on the off-side and not only on the leg-side. And that is such a difficult shot to play."
Maxwell had a terrible outing in the IPL 2020 for Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab), but he has already scored a couple of half-centuries this year. His scores in the three innings are 39, 59, and 78.
"He's doing it very well, scooping on the off-side over that inner ring and that means he's another 360-degree player. What do the bowlers do they have to bowl to two 360-degree players, " explained Gavaskar.
"Also, when there's a classical Virat Kohli at the top of the order and when there's a Padikkal. Maxwell and de Villiers are the key because they bat in the last seven-eight overs and they are the ones who take the score to a lot more than what the oppositions expect."
(With Star Sports Inputs)