IPL 2022: Glenn Maxwell, who was on good terms with Virat Kohli, said he looks forward to seeing a laid-back former captain judged on his emotions.
Virat Kohli is measured by his emotions these days, says Glenn Maxwell (courtesy of BCCI)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Virat Kohli gave up the RCB captain after IPL 2021
- Faf du Plessis will lead RCB in IPL 2022
- Maxwell said he’s looking forward to seeing Kohli manage his emotions
Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder Glenn Maxwell said Virat Kohli will certainly feel unencumbered after giving up captaincy and a pressure-free Kohli will be “dangerous news” for opponents in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL).
Virat Kohli resigned as RCB captain after IPL 2021 and also relinquished India’s T20I captain. He was fired as ODI captain before leaving Test captain earlier this year.
RCB named Faf du Plessis as their new captain after weeks of speculation and the new skipper said Virat Kohli’s energy and leadership experience will be key to other teams’ chances in the 2022 IPL from March 26.
“He knows he’s handing over the captaincy, which I think could be a huge burden for him. It may have been something that has weighed on him for a while and now that he’s been able to debunk it, it could be dangerous news for the opposition teams,” Maxwell told the RCB Podcast.
Maxwell, who was on good terms with Kohli after signing for RCB last year, said he was there to see the relaxed version of Kohli and enjoy the next few years of his career without the captain’s burden.
“It’s amazing that he’s a bit relaxed and can actually enjoy the next few years of his career without that outside pressure. I think when he used to play him he was a fierce competitor that got in your face. He’s always trying to impose himself on the game. to impose on the opponent.”
MEASURED EMOTIONS
The Australian all-rounder loves the cricket talks he has with Kohli and is himself surprised that the former India skipper has become a close friend.
“Something I’ve noticed more about him this year is that he was really measured with his emotions. He was actually really measured with his choices. He certainly really surprised me and probably how close we’ve become this year. To be able to talk calmly about the game,” Maxwell said.
“Because you can see that overexcited on his face when you play against him. But playing with him and having really good conversations about the game, I really enjoyed that.”
