IPL 2023: They have given me the freedom to go out there and express myself – Glenn Maxwell on RCB’s management

Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has revealed that the franchise’s management has given him the license to go out there and express himself. Maxwell joined forces with Faf du Plessis against Rajasthan Royals at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Sunday after two early wickets of Virat Kohli and Shahbaz Ahmed.

Rather than taking a circumspect approach, Maxwell batted like himself and he was able to hit the ground running. The Australian smashed six fours and four sixes en route to his 44-ball 77 and helped his team post 189 runs on the board.

Maxwell added 127 runs off just 67 balls with opener Faf du Plessis for the third-wicket stand, which Kohli tipped as one of the best counter-attacking alliances he has seen.

Faf du Plessis also scored 62 runs from 39 balls but Maxwell batted at the top of his game. In fact, RCB should have scored more than 200 runs but they could only manage 33 runs in the final five overs.

Maxwell was awarded Player of the Match for his blistering knock. He said in the post-match presentation, “(On batting at number 4) It’s a position I don’t mind batting, I have done it for Australia when we lose early wickets. They have given me the freedom to go out there and express myself. Came into the season with good form, and have that trust from the changeroom, that makes the difference. New ball skidded on nicely, so we had to be busy and proactive.”

He added, “I think the way we ended the powerplay set the foundation, although there was a bit chaos in the end. (On the way he got out) I felt it was my job to bat deeper, it was a match-up that suited me and there was some poor execution on my part. I thought if I could just take a single, maybe I could have been useful towards the death overs. Allow the new batters to settle while I could attack. However, in the end just really happy with the win.”

On the other hand, Mohammed Siraj got the big wicket of Jos Buttler as he castled him in the first over.

Siraj said after the win, “I accept any challenge. My role is going well, wickets with the new ball and the ball is coming out of the hand nicely. One ball swung in the first over when it swung into Jaiswal, then concentrated on my scrambled seam as I trust that. There was a bit of reverse and it is not easy to hit sixers off the reverse on a hard length. I’m very happy with the responsibility of leading the attack.”

RCB will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday.