Royal Challengers Bangalore rescued Glenn Maxwell from the Indian Premier League doldrums and Kevin Pietersen admits a surprising new role has brought the best out of the Australian big hitter.
The 32-year-old all-rounder was a surprise $1.95 million ($A2.5m) purchase by Virat Kohli’s side after being almost a bit-part player with Kings XI Punjab last year and Delhi Capitals before that.
Maxwell did not need to take to the crease in Bangalore’s big last-start win over the Rajasthan Royals.
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He has stepped up when needed though, smashing 78 off 49 balls as Bangalore thrashed Kolkata Knight Riders last week.
Pietersen admitted to being “sceptical” of RCB’s purchase of Maxwell for a key reason, one which he believes Maxwell has since disproved.
“I was sceptical of RCB’s purchase of Glenn Maxwell at the beginning of the tournament, partly because he is ‘The Big Show’ – he likes to be the main man in the teams he plays in,” he wrote in a blog for Betway.
“He certainly isn’t that here, with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers at the top of the tree, so it’s surprised me that he’s done so well.
“He must feel very comfortable in the set-up there. I know that if you make Maxwell feel comfortable and pump his tyres a bit then you will see huge benefits.
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“He is a fabulous player. He can be inconsistent, but we haven’t seen that inconsistency yet this season.
“Players can turn a corner as they become more experienced and I hope that Maxwell is turning a corner now because he can be a world-beater if he remains at his highest level.”
Former England spinner Graeme Swann said just as much recently, adding Maxwell is content doing his job quietly at Bangalore while the spotlight remains on Kohli and De Villiers.
“He’s nowhere near being the Big Show. But he’s got Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in the team, and it really suits him, to be that third player who can just go out there and express himself, without having to carry the team,” Swann told Star Sports TV.
“This suits him. He looks in a very good place, he looks very fit.”
“He surprised me more than anyone. I thought it was a bonkers amount of money they spent on him in the auction. I think he feels happy, he feels relaxed. He played really good shots. He’s got his reverse hit back.”
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Maxwell told reporters earlier in the week that easing the pressure on Kohli is key to his success.
“I felt like I have been right at home since day one, the coaching staff have been extremely supportive so have the players, it has been great fun so far,” he said.
“It is just about taking one of the responsibilities off Virat’s shoulders. He has got a lot of things to do out there, to sort of control what fielders need to be at what positions is one thing he does not have to worry about.”
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