Glenn Maxwell, the dynamic Australian all-rounder, has become the nightmare of bowlers in the realm of white-ball cricket over the past 18 months. Maxwell, whose Indian Premier League (IPL) career has blossomed while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has attributed his growth to the synergy he’s developed with teammates, notably the reputable cricketer Virat Kohli, and captain Faf du Plessis.
The partnership between Maxwell and Kohli hasn’t just bolstered their franchise’s standing, but for Maxwell, it has been an exceptional learning opportunity. Despite Kohli’s prowess, speculation over his place in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup has stirred attention, particularly around his strike rate. Although Kohli is a veteran with a significant record in multiple T20 World Cups, the maestro’s relatively slower century this IPL season and a recent 59-ball 82* against the Lucknow Super Giants, although leading the run charts, has not escaped critique.
Addressing these rumors on ESPN’s Around the Wicket, Glenn Maxwell couldn’t conceal a chuckle, expressing his take on the situation with a bit of competitive banter, “I am hoping India don’t pick him (for T20 World Cup) because it will be great to not come up against him.”
The Australian all-rounder extended his admiration for Kohli’s abilities, recalling the match in Mohali during the 2016 T20 World Cup. Describing Kohli’s innings in that game, Maxwell reminisced, “Virat Kohli is the most clutch player I have ever played against. The innings he played against us in Mohali during the 2016 T20 World Cup is still the best innings I have ever seen been played against me. He changed the face of the whole game. His awareness of what he needs to do to win the game is phenomenal.”
Maxwell acknowledged the immense pressure on players to perform consistently. In a country like India, where cricket is akin to religion and talent abounds, he humorously noted that about half of the nation’s 1.5 billion population seems to be extraordinary at cricket, emphasizing the competitive nature of securing a place in the team. With reference to the IPL, he pointed out that the tournament showcases some of India’s best T20 talent, where the performance pressure on players is a natural consequence of the high standards expected.
The rumors around Kohli’s selection for the T20 World Cup have led to various reactions across the cricketing fraternity. Insights into the camaraderie and competition within the IPL, as players from around the globe gather to add vibrancy to the tournament, further highlight cricket’s unique capacity to forge bonds across national boundaries while maintaining intense rivalries on the field.
As for Kohli himself, the storied batsman remains in pursuit of major milestones that place him among elite lists alongside celebrated hitters like Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma. His recent form has come under scrutiny, but his history of performance in critical moments is well documented, a testament to his undoubted ability and temperament.
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, debates surrounding team compositions, strategies, and player form will continue to captivate the cricketing world. While Glenn Maxwell may express lighthearted reluctance to face Virat Kohli in international competition, his words underscore a respect deep-rooted in cricket’s narrative – a reverence for one of the game’s modern legends. The progression toward the prestigious tournament promises to be as much about off-field discussions on selections as it is about on-field cricketing spectacle.
