Over the years, Australian superstar Glenn Maxwell has been a polarizing cricketer. His performances have evoked awe and shock in equal measures. In the IPL, he has had seasons where he has dominated the bowling lineups of the opposing teams single-handedly while also having seasons in which he has had a trot of low scores. He has always kept his fans divided and franchise owners on the hook with his performances. He has played for Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab and has now finally landed in Bangalore.
Maxwell started the 2021 IPL with a lot of expectations. He had the role of a finisher in the team and was also had the responsibility of bolstering the batting. He began the season wonderfully and it seemed as if he was finally repaying the faith that RCB reposed in him. In 7 games, he amassed 223 runs at a healthy strike rate of 145 with a high score of 78. He was a perfect fit for RCB at no. 4.
With there being speculation around a lot of international cricketers not turning up for the second leg of IPL in September 2021, we look at 5 players who could essentially play the role that Maxwell played at no. 4.
Colin De Grandhomme
Grandhomme had three decent IPL seasons with KKR and RCB earlier, he is aware of the ropes of IPL. He was part of the RCB set up in 2018 and 2019. With a superb strike rate of 143 in T20s, Grandhomme can tonk the ball a long mile. His burly body and strong arms would allow him to clear the boundary ropes with ease on the UAE grounds. Therefore, for a finisher’s role, Grandhomme could offer RCB a great option. His handy medium pace would be an added benefit to the team.
Alex Hales
Alex Hales’s limited-overs credentials need no introduction. He was one of the world’s first so-called “power-hitters”. The disciplinary issue in 2019 has resulted in him falling off the rather but if his 2020 BBL season is anything to go by, he can still deliver at the big stage. Having played at multiple positions for England and in franchise cricket, Hales will perfectly slot in at no. 4 for RCB. He has a pretty decent strike rate of 137 in T20s too.
Glenn Phillips
An attacking right-handed wicket-keeper batsman, Glenn Phillips, is widely tipped as one of the next-generation batsmen. He came into prominence after scoring the fastest T20I century for New Zealand against West Indies in November last year. He has scored a total of 1147 runs in the last three editions of CPL. The young batsman has been a consistent performer for the last two three years and his aggressive batting style could make him a perfect choice for RCB as a finisher.
Devon Conway
Devon Conway went unsold in the 2021 auctions but he has established himself as a genuine power hitter for New Zealand. His recent exploits for New Zealand in the Test series against England have established his reputation as a trustable and dependable player. Therefore, at no. 4, Conway can steadiness with an unmatched ability to clear the ropes. His exceptional strike rate of 151 in the T20s only reiterates his ability as a power hitter.
Corey Anderson
Corey Anderson is an IPL veteran and has many times won games for Mumbai Indians single-handedly. He is a perfect finisher and has a deep understanding of the format and as well as the tournament. Injury has kept him out for a while but given an opportunity, he shall prove that he still can be a formidable force. Few can forget how he chased down 190 in under 15 overs to finish the game against RR in 2014 and helped MI to qualify.
