The Indian Premier League stands with a Sanskrit Slogan, "Yatra Pratibha Avsara Prapnotihi", which translates to where talent meets opportunity, symbolising an open platform for everyone to showcase their cricketing abilities, be it the local or overseas players. Foreign campaigners have played a significant role in evolving IPL into what it is now.

Many have left a long-lasting impact and created fanbases, signifying their gameplay and attitude. With the recent retention list having some unexpected releases, it is evident that not just the franchises but even the franchises would be up for an intense ride in the upcoming 2025 IPL Mega Auction. That said, here are the probable five foreign players who have the potential to convert their most expensive bids in the forthcoming Mega Auction.

Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler's release from the Rajasthan Royals squads was the most shocking regarding the foreign player's released list. Jos Buttler is among the most beloved foreign players with an ardent fanbase, thanks to his impactful calibre and genuine personality. Buttler acted as a saviour in many instances for the Rajasthan Royals side, where he talked with the bat and occasionally as a captain and wicketkeeper.

With many teams eager to have a robust captain and wicketkeeper batter option in their squads, it is no surprise that the English cricketer attracts one of the highest bids in the upcoming 2025 IPL Mega Auction. 

Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell and his future stint with Royal Challenger Bengaluru was under the grey clouds, as he couldn't perform up to the mark. But the whole cricketing world is aware of his impeccable impact creation as a batter, bowler and fielder, not just limited to the IPL but even on an International level. Though he didn't unleash his game in the previous edition, Maxwell's association with the Bengaluru franchise has been valuable, where the team had the prominent trio of KGF (Kohli, Glenn & Faf).

Maxwell has always been known for having memorable seasons for a few franchises, and no doubt the cluster of ten sides would be eager to break the bank for him. Though his release surprised many, as his former franchise has three Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, he will likely return to his old squad. 

Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis rose to fame as a reliable opening batter and a side captain, and he got them to the playoffs twice out of his three captaincy tenures. Faf has been a mastermind in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's impeccable comeback to the playoffs spot from rock bottom.

To add the cherry on top, he has recently led a triumphant Lucia Kings to their first title in the recent Carribean Premier League edition (CPL). As it implies, several teams are eager to have the South African captain on their roster, making him one of the probable overseas players who can have a huge lump sum of money through the upcoming Mega Auction process.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Top-5 probable most expensive Indian players in the upcoming IPL Mega Auction

Trent Boult

Trent Boult has been one of the prominent left-hand pacers in the cricket world. He is humorously touted as the football player, thanks to his powerplay run giving nightmares to the batters and having bowling figures equivalent to a football game scorecard. Whatever the franchise it was, the Kiwi speedster always left a long-lasting impact on the ball and has gone along with his respective franchises.

Especially in a batters-dominated T20I landscape, there would be many rosters who would be willing to go for a high bid for acquiring Trent Boult's lethal pace and athletism, keeping in mind that the IPL Mega Auction is known for having players in the long run. 

Jake Fraser-McGurk

Jake Fraser-McGurk rose to fame for his swashbuckling batting approach and bolstering the team's batting order. Played his first-ever IPL edition for the Delhi Capitals, McGurk was able to obtain a colossal strike rate in just a minimal number of matches, which signifies his promising and astute power-hitter.

Despite his memorable run, Delhi Capitals has released his services but could have a possible retention through the RTM cards feature. However, it is evident that several teams are eager to acquire him in the long run, as this tournament has been a cornerstone in evolving new and emerging talent. 

Long before they became teammates, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell’s relationship was anything but friendly. Their rivalry peaked during the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, one of the most heated Test series between India and Australia. During the third Test match in Ranchi, Kohli injured his shoulder while fielding, an incident that quickly became a topic of discussion and even mockery among rival players. Two days later, when it was Australia’s turn to field, Maxwell mimicked Kohli’s injured shoulder as he clutched his own in a humorous yet provocative gesture.

This act of imitation did not sit well with Kohli, known for his intense competitiveness. In response, Kohli blocked Maxwell on Instagram, marking a significant chill in their relationship. The incident, seemingly light-hearted on the surface, became a symbolic gesture of their rivalry. Reflecting on that time, Maxwell mentioned on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, “I think he got the sh**s with me and decided to block me. It was fair enough.” For years, they remained at odds, with little interaction on or off the field.

Forging new bonds at RCB: Kohli’s support for Maxwell

However, in a surprising twist, Kohli later played a pivotal role in bringing Maxwell into the RCB fold, despite their previous friction. Ahead of the 2021 IPL season, RCB acquired Maxwell for an impressive INR 14.25 crore, adding him to an already powerful batting lineup that included Kohli himself and South African legend AB de Villiers. The team quickly became one of the most formidable in the league, at least on paper, with Maxwell scoring over 500 runs that season and helping RCB reach the playoffs.

Maxwell was taken aback by Kohli’s warm welcome when he joined the RCB training camp. “Virat was the first guy to message me and welcome me to the team,” Maxwell recalled. Excited by his new team environment, Maxwell searched for Kohli on social media to reconnect, only to realize he was still blocked. At first, he thought Kohli might not be active on Instagram, but a teammate informed him of the real reason: Kohli had blocked him back in 2017 after the Ranchi incident.

Maxwell laughed it off and took the bold step to confront Kohli. “I asked him, ‘Did you block me on Instagram?’ and he was like, ‘Yeah, probably. It was when you mocked me during that Test match.’” Both players laughed it off, and Kohli promptly unblocked him. Their mutual acknowledgment of past misunderstandings laid the groundwork for a fresh start, and they quickly bonded over their shared experiences and ambitions for RCB.

From teammates to friends

Their relationship continued to grow as they spent more time together, both in the RCB dressing room and in training sessions. They developed mutual respect not only as cricket players but as individuals. Kohli, who is known for his dedication to fitness and training, became an influential figure for Maxwell, and the Australian all-rounder quickly adapted to Kohli’s intense training regimen.

Maxwell’s performances with RCB validated Kohli’s support, and their shared efforts brought a new energy to the team. Maxwell, who struggled with consistency in previous IPL seasons, credited much of his RCB success to the backing he received from Kohli and the team management. He ended the season as one of RCB’s most valuable players, helping them finish third and making a significant contribution to their playoff journey.

Today, Maxwell and Kohli are close friends, having moved past their early tensions. They even joke about their earlier rivalry, reflecting on how much both have matured over the years. Maxwell humorously remarked in his book that their shared experience of parenthood brought them closer, noting that their relationship had evolved from the “young and brash” players they once were into more seasoned athletes with a genuine bond.

See Also: Kane Williamson to miss the third Test against India

A friendship built on shared experiences

The once-fiery duo now share a deep bond, cultivated through shared struggles, personal growth, and respect. Maxwell’s gratitude towards Kohli’s support, despite their initial differences, speaks to the growth of both men. “It was a nice little story to have as a side note,” Maxwell reflected. “We’ve had quite a funny relationship leading up to playing IPL together. Sharing that dressing room, sharing experiences, and becoming parents at the same time…We’ve both come a long way.”

Kohli’s unwavering support for Maxwell, even during his challenging IPL journey, has cemented their friendship as one of mutual respect and understanding. Both stars have mellowed, no longer the “young and brash” rivals they once were, but rather seasoned players who have grown both on and off the field.

The 36-year-old star Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell is a nightmare for every bowler. Recently, the right-handed batter revealed the name of the best bowler he faced. 

In limited-overs cricket, Glenn Maxwell is one of the greatest middle-order batters. Players with 100 ODIs, Maxwell records the highest batting strike rate (126.82). Similarly, he is also on top of the list of players with the highest T20I strike rate after playing 100 T20Is (154.76).

Maxwell has played 447 T20s, where the right-handed batter has a strike rate of 153.66, the second-best strike rate in the list of at least 400 T20s. 

SEE ALSO: Australia T20I squad announced without a key figure

Glenn Maxwell named Jasprit Bumrah

Recently, in a video shared by ESPNcricinfo, Maxwell revealed that the Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah would be the best bowler he faced. The Aussie cricketer believes that Bumrah can be the best all-format bowler of all time. 

Maxwell said, “I think the best bowler I would have faced would probably be Bumrah. I think he’s probably going to go down as the best all-format bowler of all time. His release point, because he releases it from so far out in front of himself, almost feels like he can change where he’s bowling right at the last moment.

“Unbelievable slow ball, great yorker, has the ability to swing it both ways; he’s got a brilliant wrist, and he’s got a good sniff. It feels like he’s got all the tricks of a really good fast bowler.”

Maxwell's performances against Bumrah

While Maxwell has the dominating strike rates in the ODIs and T20 cricket, his record against Bumrah isn’t the same. Maxwell’s ODI strike rate against Bumrah is 101.4, where the right-handed batter has scored 70 runs off 69 balls and has been dismissed twice. 

In the T20 format, Bumrah dismissed Maxwell seven times, including twice in the T20 international. The right-handed batter has scored 75 runs off 65 balls in T20 cricket with a strike rate of 115.4.

In his entire career, Maxwell has hit only two sixes against Bumrah, once in an ODI and the other one in a T20I match. 

The record clearly shows Bumrah’s dominance against Maxwell in every format. 

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has shared details of a challenging period with former Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) director of operations, Virender Sehwag, during the IPL 2017 season. In his new book, Maxwell recounts the friction between him and Sehwag, highlighting issues related to team selection, management decisions, and a public fallout that ultimately led to a strained relationship.

Sehwag’s role in team decisions and Maxwell’s discontent

Maxwell, who captained PBKS during the 2017 season, detailed how Sehwag maintained significant control over team selection, sidelining input from the coaching staff. Despite a consensus to involve all coaches in a WhatsApp group for team decisions, Sehwag ignored suggestions and asserted his authority to pick the playing XI unilaterally. This approach, according to Maxwell, contributed to the team’s underwhelming performance that season.

In his book, Maxwell explained, “We thought it might be beneficial to include the coaching staff in a WhatsApp group for team decisions. Everyone was on board, except for Sehwag. In the end, he was the one calling the shots on the starting XI, and this affected the morale both on and off the field.”

Public fallout after loss to rising Pune Super Giants

Maxwell also recounted the aftermath of PBKS’s final game of the season against Rising Pune Super Giants, which they lost by nine wickets. Following the match, Maxwell volunteered to face the media, but Sehwag chose to go instead, using the opportunity to criticize Maxwell publicly, calling him a “big disappointment” and blaming him for failing to take responsibility as captain. Maxwell was surprised by this, especially when he found out that he had been removed from the team’s WhatsApp group soon after the game.

The former PBKS captain also mentioned his private response to Sehwag’s remarks: “I texted him saying how much it hurt to hear those comments. I told him he’d lost a fan in me. He responded, saying he didn’t need a fan like me. That was the last we spoke.”

See Also: Santner shines with record-breaking performance against India

Maxwell eventually left PBKS and played for other franchises, including Delhi Capitals in 2018 and later rejoining PBKS in 2020. Since 2021, he has been a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with his future in the franchise still under consideration.

Veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has said that he asked the RCB team management to drop him from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against SRH on Monday, April 15 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, they made a few changes to their playing XI and also named Will Jacks, Lockie Ferguson and Reece Topley as their overseas players along with the captain Faf du Plessis.

However, Glenn Maxwell was going through a poor run of form as he could manage only 32 runs from 6 matches at an average of 5.33 and a strike rate of 94.11 as well. The hard-hitting batter scored double digits only once with a top score of 28 and picked up 3 ducks in the ongoing edition of the T20 league.

“For me, personally, it was a pretty easy decision” – Glenn Maxwell

He also admitted that it was high time that RCB tried a different option in the middle order. Maxwell also said that he needed a mental and physical break from the game and did not want to repeat mistakes from the past and get himself more into trouble as well.

“For me, personally, it was a pretty easy decision. 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,” Glenn Maxwell said in the post-match press conference.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

“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 again said.

Glenn Maxwell has been in a poor form 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 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,” Maxwell concluded.

However, the changes RCB made in the match against SRH did not help them as they lost the match by 25 runs at home. After being asked to chase down a huge total of 288, RCB finished at 262 for 7 in 20 overs as well. Losing 6 out of 7 matches, RCB are at the bottom of the points table with 2 points and a net run rate of -1.185 as well.

Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru team faced a major blow as their star all-rounder, Glenn Maxwell has sustained an injury and he is expected to miss their upcoming match against Sunrisers Hyderabad as well.

Glenn Maxwell is yet to hit his best of form

However, they are facing a challenging period in the ongoing Indian Premier League season. With five losses in six games, they are placed ninth in the points table. And, their recent defeat to Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians marked their fourth consecutive defeat of the season. The match took place on April 11th at the Wankhede Stadium as well.

ALSO READ: Zaheer Khan shares MS Dhoni’s plans after IPL 2024

RCB placed ninth in the points table

According to a report from News 24, Glenn Maxwell suffered an injury to his right thumb while fielding during the match against Mumbai Indians. The veteran all-rounder has been going through a rough patch in the current season, managing to score only 32 runs in six innings so far, with three of those resulting in ducks as well. Unfortunately, his third duck came during the match against MI.

However, Glenn Maxwell injured himself while trying to catch Suryakumar Yadav, who played an impressive 52-run knock in just 19 balls, completely shifting the momentum in favour of Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well. RCB will play against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 15th as well.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Mumbai Indians on April 2 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to begin their Indian Premier League 2023 season. Faf du Plessis, the former Proteas captain, will return to lead the franchise. The team appears formidable, and this year’s auction yielded fascinating purchases.

As the IPL returns to its classic home and away game structure, supporters will be ready to give the city of Bengaluru the dose of cricket energy. With a robust lineup and intriguing picks from the auction, here are the top four players from the Red & Blue squad to check out. 

Virat Kohli

No wonder why the King is synonymous with RCB. Ever since the franchise’s inception, the evolution of the Delhite right-hand batter has started. His pure class intent and dedication to the franchise were pivotal to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successes.

Though the franchise had their own downs, Kohli’s loyalty could be the highlight of all. Over his 237-match IPL stint with the RCB, Kohli has made 7263 runs with over 50 fifties and seven centuries, making him the tournament’s leading run-scorer, and there is no sign of stoppage from his end.

Glenn Maxwell 

Glenn Maxwell will be one of the most potent attackers in the IPL 2024. The all-rounder is capable of doing anything on the pitch. He bowlers in the powerplay and middle overs, fields everywhere, takes catches, and few batsmen can match his abilities.

Especially after his flawless performance in the ICC CWC 2023 on Indian soil, when he delivered some outstanding cricketing performances. Known for his unconventional shots, it’s no surprise that he hammered the ball over the stands of Chinnaswamy Stadium. In 124 IPL encounters, he has scored 2719 runs and collected 31 wickets. 

Cameron Green

Spending more than INR 17 crores for a player demonstrates how much RCB values Cameron Green for his all-round abilities. The Australian all-rounder might improve the franchise’s fortunes in the IPL 2024. He is a top-order batsman who can bowl with new and old balls, making him an excellent choice for the team’s all-rounder role.

Cameron Green is the latest Faf du Plessis, Kohli, Patidar, and Maxwell group member. Despite a promising start of 452 runs and six wickets in 16 matches, he is primed to add to the pyrotechnics by using his striking skills and impressing. 

See also: IPL 2024: Best Playing XI for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Post Mini Auction

Alzarri Joseph

Alzarri Joseph’s signing by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 11.50 crore is a significant addition to the team’s bowling lineup. With Mohammad Siraj as their primary experienced international-level bowler, the addition of Alzarri Joseph strengthens their bowling assault.

Joseph’s ability to bowl quickly and take crucial wickets makes him a significant asset for RCB. The high price demonstrates the team’s desire to acquire a formidable fast bowler. Though his stats of 20 wickets in 19 matches are unimpressive, he can unleash his X-factor for the Men in Red and Blue. 

Harbhajan Singh, ex-Indian cricketer, suggests that Glenn Maxwell, a key batsman for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, will face challenges against Ravindra Jadeja of the Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2024 opener. He delves into the historical rivalry between the two teams and highlights Maxwell’s ongoing difficulty against Jadeja, indicating that this trend is likely to persist in the forthcoming season.

During an interview with Star Sports, Harbhajan elaborated on how Jadeja could emerge victorious once more when the two teams clash in the highly anticipated opening match on March 22 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Harbhajan’s Insights: Maxwell-Jadeja Battle Preview

“It’s a significant challenge for anyone to step out and immediately start hitting sixes,” he remarked. “You need to allocate some time to build your innings with singles and doubles. If you neglect this initial phase of playing at least 10 balls before attempting boundaries, you’re exposing yourself to risk. There’s always the chance of getting out prematurely. In this specific encounter, I believe Jadeja will have the upper hand over Maxwell on this pitch, particularly since it offers some assistance to Jadeja,” explained Harbhajan.

Despite Maxwell’s recent outstanding performances in the IPL, Jadeja’s spin expertise has consistently posed a challenge for him. Out of the 11 encounters between them in the league, Jadeja has dismissed Maxwell 6 times, restricting him to just 70 runs off 51 deliveries.

SEE ALSO:Pat Cummins shamelessly pleads not guilty despite leaving Alex Carey stranded on 98 not out

Acknowledging Maxwell’s potential threat for RCB, particularly when he’s in his explosive form, Harbhajan emphasized Maxwell’s ability to turn the game around single-handedly. Maxwell’s remarkable performance in IPL 2023, where he scored 400 runs with some dazzling displays, further highlights his danger at the crease.

“On his day, Maxwell is unstoppable. However, on this pitch, it’ll be tough for anyone to start hitting sixes right from the get-go. But if anyone can do it, it’s Maxwell. Let’s see who comes out on top in this rivalry,” remarked Harbhajan.

Maxwell enters the IPL 2024 season with confidence following his standout performance in the World Cup in India, including a double hundred, and a century against India in a T20I series post the World Cup.

The Australian cricket team delivered a stellar performance, successfully chasing down the 216-run target set by New Zealand with six wickets in hand within 20 overs. This remarkable achievement marked their third-highest successful run chase in T20 cricket, underscoring their resilience in high-pressure situations.

Notably, Australia’s highest successful T20I run chase had also occurred against the Kiwis in Auckland back in 2018 when they achieved a stunning target of 244 runs with seven balls remaining. The second-best chase involved India whereby they hunted down 223 runs in Guwahati last year thereby showing their capacity of chasing big targets against top notch opponents.

Australia’s Dominance in T20I Run-Chases

In a nail-biting climax to the match, and needing 16 off the last over, Tim David played a brave innings striking veteran bowler Tim Southee for 12 from three balls which included an important six and boundary off last throw thus giving Australia an exciting victory.

Unbeaten on 72 runs off 44 balls, skipper Mitchell Marsh provided the much needed support to Tim David. The duo stepped in after wicketkeeper Josh Inglis was dismissed—forming a crucial partnership of 44 runs in just 19 deliveries and taking Australia towards an imposing target set by New Zealand.

Australia’s openers Travis Head and David Warner got the Australian chase off to a good start. Although they both fell within the first seven overs, their rapid scoring partnership put them in a strong position at 69-2.

SEE ASLO: India’s Test Heroes Shine Bright With Rankings After Convincing Victory

Mitchell Marsh and Tim David’s Heroic Partnership

In spite of losing important players, there were middle-order batsmen that contributed substantially to the pursuit. Glenn Maxwell injected some energy into the innings with his quick fire knock of 25 from just 11 balls before being cleaned up by Lockie Ferguson who took a well-directed yorker thus stood out as New Zealand’s most economical bowler.

The first innings began with Finn Allen and Devon Conway opening up with a quickfire partnership of 61 runs in merely 5.2 overs for the Black Caps Franchise. This was followed by Rachin Ravindra reaching his maiden T20I fifty from twenty nine deliveries while Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman also played valuable hands, leading to New Zealand amassing an imposing total of two hundred fifteen for three.

Australia’s strong batting, led by Mitchell Marsh and Tim David, eventually ensured a famous win in a high-scoring contest despite New Zealand’s daunting total, revealing their tough side and performance under pressure in T20 cricket.

Cricket Australia has unveiled a 13-member squad for the upcoming 3-match ODI series against West Indies, slated to commence on February 2. In a strategic move to manage player workloads, the promising young batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk and emerging pace bowler Xavier Bartlett have earned spots in Australia’s ODI team for the upcoming clash with West Indies.

The roster adjustment comes as Glenn Maxwell takes a well-deserved break following his demanding schedule in the Big Bash League (BBL), while Jhye Richardson is sidelined due to an injury sustained while playing for Perth Scorchers last month. With World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins absent, Steven Smith has been appointed as the captain. Notable all-format players like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh are also given a rest for the three ODIs.

Emerging Talents and Strategic Rest: Cricket Australia’s Dynamic Squad for West Indies ODI Series

Fraser-McGurk, recognized as one of the most promising batting talents in the country, has garnered attention with consistent performances in the domestic arena. Recently moving from Victoria to South Australia, he achieved a world-record 29-ball century in the Marsh Cup this season. His standout BBL season with Melbourne Renegades saw him score 257 runs at an impressive strike rate of 158.64.

Having made his debut for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, Fraser-McGurk showcased his skills with a quickfire 54 off 25 balls. Meanwhile, Bartlett, currently the leading wicket-taker in this season’s BBL with Brisbane Heat, steps in for Richardson, contributing crucial powerplay wickets and making an impact during the death overs with his sharp outswing.

See Also:Deep Dasgupta Criticizes Experts for Labeling Kl Rahul as a Part-Time Wicketkeeper

Both Fraser-McGurk and Bartlett stand on the brink of their international debuts as they join the squad for matches scheduled in Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. Australia’s ODI team is undergoing a transformation in preparation for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year and the four-year cycle leading to the 2027 World Cup, where they aim to defend their title won in India.

The squad reshuffle also creates opportunities for players like Matt Short, who will open the batting following David Warner’s retirement, and Aaron Hardie, stepping into the role vacated by Marcus Stoinis. Additionally, Lance Morris is included in the mix.

Australia ODI Squad:

• Steven Smith (C)
• Sean Abbott
• Xavier Bartlett
• Nathan Ellis
• Cameron Green
• Aaron Hardie
• Travis Head
• Josh Inglis
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Jake Fraser-McGurk
• Lance Morris
• Matt Short
• Adam Zampa