I Owe IPL Hell of a Lot, it Helped me as an International Cricketer: RCB's Glenn Maxwell

Australian cricketer Glen Maxwell continues to be one of the most sought-after players when it comes to the T20 format. The star all-rounder was retained by IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2022 edition of the cash-rich cricket league. In a podcast shared on Twitter by RCB, Maxwell revealed the importance of playing in the marquee T20 tournament, noting that he owes “IPL a lot” and how it has brought a change in his life not only as a player but also off the field.

Speaking to Danish Sait on the RCB Podcast, Maxwell said that the IPL has given him an opportunity to meet some of the people he admired. “The IPL has changed my life in an amazing way that I have been able to meet some of my heroes, some of the people I have admired playing for and against,” the 33-year-old said. “IPL has changed me as a cricketer, changed me as a person.” He even went on to say that the tournament brought about a cultural awakening in his life. “I wasn’t possible as culturally aware as a young player coming to India.

When I was in India this year (2021), it was the 24th time I visited the county, which is quite a few times in an 11-year career,” he added. The two-time World Cup winner also talked highly of the contribution IPL made in his life, adding he owes “a hell of a lot” to the tournament because it has helped him develop both on and off the field. “I owe IPL a hell of a lot because it has also helped me as an international cricketer. I have been able to adapt to different situations which I never thought I would ever do, as the IPL exposes international cricketers to those situations,” he explained.

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After an underwhelming 2020 season, Maxwell was released by the Punjab Kings (PBKS). RCB roped in the Aussie all-rounder during the IPL 2021 mini-auction for Rs 14.25 crore. The T20 World Cup winner proved his worth as he emerged as the highest run-getter for the Bangalore outfit in the 14th edition with 513 runs.

Yuzvendra Chahal Shares What Advise Captian Gave Him during IPL

Former captain MS Dhoni is one of the most successful Indian captains. The former cricketer is known for maintaining his cool on-field even in the toughest situation, and also for giving tips to his teammates and budding cricketers. Several cricketers have shared how the legendary former captain has assisted them in maintaining their cool when they are going through a low point on the field. Recently, Indian leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal revealed some insightful advice he received from Dhoni during his most expensive T20I spell in 2018. Playing against South African Centurion, Chahal conceded 64 runs without scalping any wickets.

In a chat with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube show, DRS with Ash, Chahal shared about how he was expecting Dhoni to share some strategies when he called to talk to him between his overs. Instead, Dhoni simply came to admit that it wasn’t Chahal’s day, and further urged him to take it easy, complete his overs, and “chill”. As far as the match was concerned, batter Heinrich Klaasen was the top scorer with 30-ball 69 with seven sixes. His innings assisted the Proteas chase 189 in 18.4 overs. Chahal’s spell was the costliest by an Indian bowler in the shortest format and the 10th costliest overall.

Chahal added that the incident and Dhoni’s reaction made him realize the ebbs and flows of international careers and also how a bowler should react to such situations. Chahal stated that if someone scolds you at your low point, your confidence level falls even lower. “But he told me that it’s just one match. He said, ‘You did so well in ODIs, you won’t do well in every match, others are also playing’,” Chahal shared. According to the leg spinner, in cricket sometimes one does extremely well, and sometimes they don’t. He said that when you realise, “it’s not your day”, you should not try too much instead be economical.