IPL 2025 Auction: Glenn Maxwell Lauds RCB For Explaining Reason For Not Retaining Him

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Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has lauded Royal Challengers Benagluru (RCB) for their effort to reach out to him and explain why he was not retained ahead of this month's IPL 2025 mega auction.

RCB has retained only three Indian players - Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal and Rajat Patidar. Maxwell joined RCB in 2021, and played a key role in the middle-order in the past four seasons, out of which the Benagaluru side made it to three play-offs.

Maxwell, who was retained by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the IPL 2022 Mega Auction for Rs 11 Crore, termed his exit from the team as beautiful, saying he got a call from Mo Bobat and Andy Flower explaining to him about the franchises strategy.

"I got a phone call from Mo Bobat and Andy Flower. I sat there on a zoom call, where they explained the decision not to be retained. It was actually really beautiful, except may be if that could be possible," Maxwell said on ESPNcricinfo's Around the Wicket show.

"We ended up talking about the game for about half-an-hour, talking about their strategy and what they are looking to do going forward. I completely understand the direction they are heading.

"They need 3 Indians to build that core and hopefully, their overseas players can complement those locals. I was really happy with that. If every team did that, I think probably will make relationships more smoother," added the Australian.

Maxwell, however, still harbours hopes of being picked by RCB in the mega auction, slated to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25.

"I won't say my RCB innings is over but I would certainly like to get back there. It was a great franchise and I really enjoyed my time there," said Maxwell, who is RCB's fifth-highest run getter with 1266 runs from 52 matches.

In addition to Maxwell, RCB has not retained star Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, former captain Faf du Plessis, or England's Will Jacks. Three of them could still find a way back at the big auction as the franchise has three Right to Match cards.