Legendary Pakistan seamer Wasim Akram has backed under-fire Glenn Maxwell to get Royal Challengers Bengaluru into one of the knockout matches in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Maxwell has not been at his best with the bat this season and scored just 52 runs in 9 matches for his side, he even failed to get a place into the playing XIs in a couple of matches. However, the Aussie all-rounder played a crucial cameo knock (16 off 5 balls) for RCB in their do-or-die clash against CSK to reach the playoffs.
Maxwell‘s inclusion brings a good balance to the RCB unit. His four overs with a ball are very handy on a surface where the spinners have a slight advantage. He has claimed six wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 8.06.
However, the RCB management has repeatedly shown support for Maxwell, who returned to the XI after Will Jacks returned to England for international commitments.
Akram also talked highly of Maxwell despite his below average numbers this season in IPL and said he will turn up on the big stage in a knockout clash.
“High risk, high reward. Glenn Maxwell will single-handedly win a knockout match for RCB. You have to stay calm with him in the dressing room. I know it’s frustrating. It must be frustrating for him as well,” Akram told Sportskeeda.
The legendary paceman recalled Maxwell’s iconic double century against Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he fought through cramps and niggles and took Australia over the line from a tricky stage.
It’s an incredible story for RCB: Wasim Akram
Akram further talked about RCB’s emphatic win over defending champions CSK which helped them reach the playoffs with sixth win in a row.
“It was virtually kind of like a quarterfinal. Ise kehte hain jab kismat ki devi meharbaan ho, jab apko apnea ap mein belief ho team pe. (When fortune favors you and you have self-belief, then you tend to achieve the impossible).”
“Even I had said that qualifying is not only tough but impossible. They have proved everyone wrong. It’s an incredible story for RCB. That game will be written in the history of IPL,” he added.
Akram suggested that God had a different plan as many were expecting CSK to go through the final as they had a slighter advantage in the playoffs race.