Glenn Maxwell Hails Virat Kohli as the Best ODI Batter He Has Ever Seen

Abhirah Goel

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has heaped praise on Virat Kohli, naming the Indian batting superstar as the best ODI batter he has ever seen. Maxwell, who shared the dressing room with Kohli during their time at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, highlighted the former India captain’s exceptional control, timing and ability to find gaps in the field.

The comments came during an appearance on the “Keeping it Cricket” podcast, where Maxwell was asked to name the best players he had watched across different international formats. For ODI cricket, his choice was Kohli, while he selected Andre Russell for T20 cricket and Steve Smith for Tests.

Glenn Maxwell Picks Virat Kohli as the Best ODI Batter

Maxwell's praise for Kohli was particularly notable because he has competed against him on numerous occasions, including in major international matches between Australia and India.

The Australian all-rounder pointed to Kohli's ability to make batting appear effortless. According to Maxwell, Kohli seems to have extra time at the crease and possesses an exceptional ability to place the ball exactly where he wants it.

Maxwell also recalled some of Kohli's performances against Australia, describing several of his innings as extraordinary. His assessment reflects the respect Kohli has earned from opponents who have experienced his batting ability first-hand.

Kohli's statistics provide plenty of context for Maxwell's assessment. The Indian batter has accumulated 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs, including 54 centuries and 79 fifties, while maintaining an average of 58.59.

One of the strongest aspects of Kohli's ODI career has been his performances during successful run chases. He has scored 6,235 runs in 111 successful chases at an extraordinary average of 89.07, including 24 centuries.

These numbers underline why Kohli has developed a reputation as one of the most dependable batters in ODI cricket, particularly when his team is chasing a target.

Kohli's ODI batting is built around more than simply scoring runs. His ability to rotate the strike, find gaps and maintain control of an innings has been a defining feature of his career.

Rather than relying exclusively on power hitting, Kohli has traditionally combined precise placement with running between the wickets and calculated boundary shots. This approach has allowed him to build long innings and consistently convert starts into substantial scores.

His ability to assess situations and adjust his tempo has also made him particularly effective in pressure situations.

Maxwell's comments carry an additional layer because of his relationship with Kohli at RCB. The two played together for several seasons in the IPL and were part of a prominent RCB batting unit.

Their time together allowed Maxwell to observe Kohli's preparation and approach to batting from close range. Their professional relationship has also included numerous battles when Australia faced India in international cricket.

That combination of teammate and opponent gives Maxwell a unique perspective on Kohli's abilities.

A Major Compliment From a Fellow International Star

 at the centre of a conversation that has continued throughout his career: where does he stand among the greatest ODI batters?

While opinions about the greatest players naturally differ, Maxwell's assessment is based on his own experience of watching and playing against Kohli.

With nearly 15,000 ODI runs and 54 centuries already to his name, Kohli's statistical record remains extraordinary. Maxwell's latest praise adds another notable endorsement to the Indian star's long ODI legacy.

As Kohli continues his international career, his consistency, chase record and ability to perform against high-quality opposition will remain defining parts of his story.

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