I did not hit a single six last year, it is a bit of monkey off the back : Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell had a poor outing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year. The Australian batting powerhouse could score just 108 runs in 11 innings with the bat in the 2020 IPL edition. More so, for a man renowned for his ability to strike lusty blows, Maxwell could not even hit a single six during the whole of IPL 2020.

But then, Maxwell has started the 2021 edition of the IPL on a positive note for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) side. The Australian right-hander scored a brisk 28-ball 39 to help his side across the finish line against the mighty Mumbai Indians (MI) side. Maxwell also managed to hit 2 sixes as well.

And now, the RCB batsman has opened up on his innings against the Mumbai side. Maxwell stated that he felt good out in the middle. Adding that he had reminded Virat Kohli that he had not even hit a single six last year, the Aussie revealed that it was like the monkey was off his back. Maxwell also said that it was nice to have Kohli at the other end as it made his job a little easier.

“It certainly felt good. I did not hit a single six last year, I did remind Virat of me not hitting a six last year. To hit one out of the middle, it is a bit of monkey off the back. It is nice to start well and to have the captain at the other end, it makes my job a little easier,” said Maxwell in a chat with Harshal Patel in a video posted on the IPL website.

Harshal Patel opens up on his first fifer in T20s

Harshal Patel too opened up on his maiden five-wicket haul in T20s against the Mumbai Indians. Adding that he felt great, Patel revealed that it was a special feeling to pick a fifer since it came against a good batting lineup. Stating that the ball started tailing in a bit, Patel said that he wanted to bowl at the toes of the batsmen. The RCB pacer also added that if the batsmen were waiting for a yorker to arrive, he would then bowl his ‘deceptive’ slower balls.

“Obviously, it felt great. It was my first fifer ever in T20s, that felt special and this coming against such a good batting lineup, it was cherry on top. The ball started tailing a bit so I wanted to hit them on the toes and if they miss, it will hit the stumps and I knew if they are waiting for the yorkers, my slower balls can be really deceptive. So, I was just trying to mix it up and get as many wickets as I can,” revealed Patel.

Patel added that it was a special feeling to hit the winning runs for his side with the bat and concluded by stating that he had a great day on the field.

“I told AB de Villiers when I got there that I am there with you and we are going to win this game. Obviously, whenever you hit the winning runs, it does not matter whether it is a boundary or a single, it is a special feeling. Great day on the field,” concluded Patel.