Glenn Maxwell Praises Virat Kohli as the Greatest ODI Cricketer
Maxwell's High Praise for Kohli
In a recent episode of the 'Keeping it Cricket' podcast, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell expressed his admiration for Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli, calling him the "best-ever" player in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Maxwell highlighted Kohli's exceptional timing and his remarkable ability to find gaps in the field effortlessly.
During the podcast, hosted by former Australian cricketers Brad Haddin and Alyssa Healy, Maxwell shared his thoughts on the greatest players across different formats. He specifically mentioned Kohli when discussing ODIs, stating, "The best I ever saw in one-day cricket is Kohli. Some of the innings he has played against us have been unbelievable. He has an incredible sense of timing and can place the ball exactly where he wants it on the field, making him a different class of player."
Kohli's Impressive ODI Statistics
With a staggering 14,941 runs from 314 ODIs, Kohli boasts an impressive average of 58.59, including 54 centuries and 79 fifties. His prowess in run-chases is particularly noteworthy, having scored 6,235 runs in 111 matches at an astonishing average of 89.07, which includes 24 centuries and 29 fifties. In the current ODI season, Kohli has accumulated 384 runs in six innings, averaging 64.00 with a strike rate exceeding 106, featuring one century and three fifties.
Maxwell's Choices for T20 and Test Cricket
In the realm of T20 cricket, Maxwell named West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell as the standout player due to his remarkable power, exceptional fielding, and ability to bowl at speeds of 140 km/h. He remarked, "In T20s, it’s hard to overlook someone like Andre Russell. His power is extraordinary; once he gets going, he’s unstoppable. He hits the ball incredibly hard and far, and he backs that up with his bowling and fielding skills. He is truly a complete cricketer."
Russell's T20 statistics are impressive, with 9,919 runs at an average of 26.03 and a strike rate of 166.70, including two centuries and 36 fifties. He has also hit 808 sixes and taken 535 wickets at an average of 25.57, with best bowling figures of 5/15.
For Test cricket, Maxwell chose his teammate Steve Smith, recalling their time together in the 2017 series in India, where Smith scored 499 runs in eight innings, including three centuries. Maxwell expressed his admiration, saying, "I felt fortunate to be part of that squad and witness his incredible performance. He was batting on a different level during that tour."
Smith ranks as the fourth-highest Test run-scorer for Australia, amassing 10,920 runs in 125 matches at an average of 56.00, with 37 centuries and 45 fifties.