Maxwell Praises Virat Kohli: Ahead of IPL 2022, almost every franchise started their training camp where the available players have joined and started their training for the 15th edition of the cash-rich league.
As far as RCB is concerned, Royal Challengers Bangalore will play their first match against Punjab Kings on March 27, 2022 in DY Patil Stadium. As per IPL 2022 schedule, the 15th edition of the tournament will kick start on March 26, 2022 with the first match CSK and KKR in Wankhede Stadium.
Maxwell Praises Virat Kohli
Kohli, who relinquished RCB captaincy after last year’s IPL, has also resigned from T20 and Test captaincy while being removed from ODI leadership role.
As per Maxwell, Kohli now is no longer the “in-your face” aggressive cricketer that he used to be, and that has been pleasantly surprising.
“He knows he’s handing the captaincy over, which I think is potentially a big burden for him. It might have been something that’s been weighing him down for a while and now that he’s been able to release it, it might be dangerous news for opposition teams,” Maxwell told RCB Podcast.
The flamboyant Australian is happy that Kohli is in that phase when he would actually be enjoying being out there in the thick of things.
“It is amazing for him to be relaxed a bit and actually enjoy the next few years of his career without any of that sort of external pressure. I think playing against him in earlier days, he was a fiery competitor, getting in your face. He’s always trying to impose himself on the game. Impose himself on the opposition.”
The Australia all-rounder is loving the cricketing conversations he is having with Kohli and is himself surprised that the former India skipper has become a close friend.
“Something I’ve noticed more from him this year is he’s been really measured with his emotions. He’s actually been really measured with his decision-making. He’s certainly really surprised me and probably how close we’ve both gotten to each other as well this year. Being able to talk about the game in a calm manner,” Maxwell said.
“Because you do see that over-excited, in your face style when you play against him. But to play with him and have really good conversations about the game, I’ve really enjoyed that.
