It’s going to be next level’: Glenn Maxwell opens up on playing with Virat Kohli in RCB

Calling Virat Kohli “the pinnacle of the game” for his versatility across all forms of cricket, Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has revealed that he is stoked to be playing alongside and learning from Virat Kohli in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League.

After Maxwell was released by Kings XI Punjab following IPL 2020, Virat Kohli led Royal Challengers Bengaluru bought the all-rounder for a massive sum of Rs. 14.25 crore at the auctions last month. In his interview with the Australian Associated Press (AAP), Maxwell said, “It’s (his stint in RCB) going to be next level. He’s (Kohli) been the pinnacle of the game for a while as a multi-format player from Tests all the way to T20s. He’s been able to adapt his game, dominate for a long period of time and deal with the Indian pressure of being their captain and their best player. I’m looking forward to watching him go about his work, not just in games but in training, and hopefully tapping into some of the leadership stuff and try and learn off him.”

Maxwell added that he also developed a good friendship with Kohli over the years as the Indian skipper supported him during his mental health break back in 2019. Kohli recently opened up about his own battle with depression following his performance in the 2014 tour of England. Maxwell said, “He’s been a solid backer of my stance. In a way he probably understood a lot of the things that I was going through. A lot of expectation and pressure, which I’m sure he can relate to.”

The upcoming season of IPL is expected to be played between April and May 2021. While Chris Morris was the most expensive player, purchased by the Rajasthan Royals for Rs. 16.25 crore, the most expensive Indian player sold was Krishnappa Gowtham, purchased by the Chennai Super Kings for Rs. 9.25 crore.