Australia’s daredevil all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has said that he owes a lot to the IPL for how the league has affected him professionally and personally.
A T20 World Cup winner now, Maxwell, who was picked for 14.25 crore by RCB ahead of last season, has been retained by the franchise for 11 crore for IPL 2022.
On the personal front, Maxwell expressed gratitude as the IPL has allowed him to share the dressing room with some of his heroes. He was with Mumbai Indians in 2013 when he played alongside the great Sachin Tendulkar. At Punjab, Maxwell shared the dressing room with Chris Gayle and then with AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli at RCB last season.
He stated that regular visits to India for IPL and national duties have made him aware of the culture in the country, something that has had a positive effect on him.
Speaking to Danish Sait on the RCB podcast, Maxwell said, “The IPL has changed my life in an amazing way that I have been able to meet some of my heroes, some of the people I have admired playing for and against.”
“IPL has changed me as a cricketer, changed me as a person. I wasn’t possibly as culturally aware as a young player coming to India. When I was in India this year (2021), it was the 24th time I visited the county, which is quite a few times in a 11-year career.”
Further, apart from the monetary benefits he has gained from the IPL with the franchises splashing big money every time he has been in the auction, Maxwell reflected upon the learning he has taken as a cricketer.
Playing in the biggest cricket league under high pressure, the Victorian has picked up the mental and technical skills to adapt to different conditions and situations and made him one of the most sought after white-ball cricketers in the world.
“I owe IPL a hell of a lot because it has also helped me as an international cricketer. I have been able to adapt to different situations which I never thought I would ever do, as the IPL exposes international cricketers to those situations,” the 33-year-old explained.
Glenn Maxwell will next be seen in action later this month when Australia host Sri Lanka for a 5-T20I series.
