Maxwell's Social Media Move Sparks Speculation Before IPL Owners' BCCI Meet

Glenn Maxwell unfollowed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Instagram after winning the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 with Washington Freedom on Monday, July 29. Although MyKhel.com couldn't confirm if the Australian star was previously following the franchise, many fans and RCB fan accounts claimed this on X.

The much-anticipated meeting between IPL owners and the BCCI is set for Tuesday, July 30 in Mumbai. This meeting aims to clarify the number of retentions teams can make. Discussions will also cover the possible reintroduction of the Right-To-Match (RTM) option. Owners are interested in having five to six retentions if RTM is reinstated.

Glenn Maxwell was bought by RCB for Rs 14.25 crore ahead of IPL 2021 and retained for Rs 11 crore the following year. He fetched the same amount in both 2023 and 2024.

However, his performance significantly declined last season, scoring only 52 runs in 10 matches at an average of 5.78 and a strike rate of 120.93. He took a voluntary break midway through the tournament to improve his mental state but failed again upon returning before the play-offs. In the Eliminator, he was dismissed for a first-ball duck as RCB lost to Rajasthan Royals.

NAMMA RCB TEAM (@nammarcbteam) July 29, 2024

Maxwell faced a similar situation with Punjab Kings during IPL 2020, where he scored just 108 runs in 13 matches at an average of 15.42 and a strike rate of 101.88.

Potential Releases from RCB

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell formed a strong trio at RCB but failed to secure their maiden IPL trophy. Given recent developments, it's likely that Maxwell and du Plessis might be released by the Bengaluru-based franchise.

If RTM or increased retentions are allowed, RCB could consider retaining Maxwell at a lower price. This would provide them flexibility while managing their squad for future seasons.

The upcoming meeting will be crucial for teams planning their strategies ahead of the next IPL season. Fans eagerly await decisions that could shape their favourite teams' futures.