Glenn Maxwell has been a productive and dynamic asset for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the first three seasons wherein he mustered runs at a rate of knots and took wickets when it mattered the most.

Nevertheless, he was far from hitting the sweet spot in the IPL 2024 season. The Bengaluru-based franchise purchased the Australian all-rounder for a whopping Rs 14.25 crore in the IPL 2021 Player Auction. The former Punjab Kings (then KXIP) player scored 513 runs in his first season at RCB before scoring 301 and 400 runs in the subsequent seasons.

Besides that, he took 12 wickets in his first three seasons before his overall form declined in the last season, leading to speculation that he may be released by RCB ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Let's take a look at three strong reasons why RCB may release the 'Big Show'.

1. Dismal form in IPL 2024: Glenn Maxwell who is best known for his explosive stroke play was once a cornerstone of RCB's middle order. However, that wasn't meant to be the case last season as he managed to score just 52 runs in 10 games, his worst performance in IPL history. His sudden dip in form has made it difficult for RCB to rely on him as a match-winner, which was his primary role when he joined the franchise in 2021.

2. Ineffective bowling: While he failed to tick the boxes in batting, he had a chance to make the amends as a bowler in IPL 2024. However, his bowling performances have also been underwhelming, wherein he took six wickets. He neither provided the breakthroughs nor had the tenacity to contain the flow of runs as he maintained an economy of more than 8. As a result, RCB might as well release him ahead of the Mega Auction and will look for an alternative multi-dimensional player who can contribute in more than one department.

3. Social media hint: In a move that has raised countless eyebrows of the cricket community, Maxwell recently unfollowed RCB on Instagram ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. This recent move gives us a strong hunch that he may be released by the franchise. Once a key player for the Bengaluru-based franchise, Maxwell now faces an uncertain future as the team looks to rebuild and focus on more consistent performers.