Picture : RCB / X
The struggling Royal Challengers Bengaluru were dealt a big blow as all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has decided to take a “mental and physical” break from the Indian Premier League after going through a modest run in the tournament.
Maxwell’s absence from RCB’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad was initially attributed to a finger injury he suffered during the previous match against Mumbai Indians, but he later admitted that he has taken a break from the league.
“It was a pretty easy decision. I went to Faf and the coaches after the last game (vs Mumbai Indians) and said it was probably time we tried someone else (in his place).
It’s actually a good time to give myself a bit of a mental and physical break, get my body right,” Maxwell said in the post-match press meet.
“If I’m required to get in during the tournament, I can, hopefully, get back into a solid mental and physical space where I can make an impact,” he added.
Maxwell was quite underwhelming with the bat in the six matches he has played this season, making just 32 runs at an average of 5.33 and a strike-rate of 94.
In that 32, Maxwell scored 28 in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders alone, which was also helped to a great degree by two dropped catches. The 35-year-old agreed that he was not contributing enough to merit a place in RCB playing 11.
“I have been in this situation in the past where you can keep playing and get yourself deeper into a hole. We have had a pretty big deficiency after the power play, which has been my area of strength over the last couple of seasons.
“I felt like I wasn’t contributing with the bat, and with the results 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 spot their own,” a candid Maxwell said.
The big-hitting Australian, however, still hoped to return and make an impact in the latter stages of the tournament.
“The management here has been outstanding. I don’t think I’ve had a better six months in cricket leading into this tournament.
“So, it’s frustrating when it ends up like this. But if I can get my body and my mind right, there’s no reason I can’t finish the tournament well if I do get another opportunity,” he said.
