The first clash of the 2021 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) saw a nail-biting finish as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by 2 wickets in Chennai.
However, during the second innings of RCB's batting, new-comer to the side Glenn Maxwell had surprised all after he hit a 100meters maximum.
Soon after that RCB and Maxwell's prior team Punjab Kings (PBKS) engaged in some light-hearted banter. As Maxwell hit his first six for RCB in the run chase, the team tweeted to thank Punjab Kings for releasing Maxwell ahead of the auction.
"Thank you @PunjabKingsIPL. We would hug you if not for social distancing," RCB tweeted. Punjab Kings did not sit quietly and gave a fitting response in store as they thanked their IPL opponents for Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and Sarfaraz Khan - all former RCB players. "Aww and thank you for Gayle, KL, Mandy, Sarfaraz, Mayank..." Punjab Kings replied.
The banter did not stop here as RCB implied that Punjab Kings' "jersey, helmet, pads...and logo" were also inspired from the Bangalore franchise to which Punjab responded saying: "Yes, thank you for inventing colours."
As for Maxwell, the all-rounder had failed to hit a single six for Punjab Kings last season, however, in his innings of 39 runs off 28 balls, he slammed two that helped RCB win a last-ball thriller.
One of the two sixes sent the ball out of the ground which had also prompted an animated reaction from RCB skipper Virat Kohli.
As for the clash, after Maxwell's assault and his 52-run partnership with Kohli for the third wicket, it was just an AB de Villiers show. The South African took centre stage and hit 48 runs off just 27 balls with four fours and two sixes. He took RCB close to the 160-run target but they had to scamper to victory towards the end as only a single off the last ball ensured the win.
