Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has emphasized its commitment to fostering strong player relationships throughout their tenure with the franchise. This approach was evident in the recent departure of Glenn Maxwell, who was not retained for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
RCB’s director of cricket, Mo Bobat, explained that the decision to call Maxwell and inform him of the non-retention was part of the franchise’s culture of building and maintaining strong bonds with players. “At RCB, culture isn’t just about the middle of the journey, where everyone is together. It’s about building strong bonds at the start and honouring them at the end,” Bobat said.
Maxwell, who scored 1266 runs in 52 games for RCB, expressed his appreciation for the open and respectful communication he received from the franchise. “It was a very beautiful exit meeting. We ended up talking about the game for almost half an hour – talking about the strategy, and looking to go forward,” Maxwell said.
Bobat acknowledged the difficulty of parting ways with players but emphasized the importance of respecting their journeys and building a special team culture. “Saying goodbye to players is never easy, especially with so many shared memories. While it’s sad to part ways, it’s also an opportunity to bring in new heroes for RCB and our fans,” he said.
Maxwell’s positive experience with RCB stands in contrast to that of his teammate Mitchell Starc, who was not retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) despite playing a key role in their 2024 IPL title victory. Starc expressed disappointment at not receiving any communication from KKR regarding his non-retention.
RCB’s approach to player relationships highlights the importance of transparency, respect, and maintaining strong connections both during and after a player’s time with the franchise. This approach fosters a positive and supportive environment that benefits both the players and the team as a whole.
