Melbourne: Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has settled his personal debate over the greatest ODI cricketer he has seen, naming Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli as his clear choice.

Maxwell, speaking on the Keeping it Cricket podcast hosted by former Australia cricketers Brad Haddin and Alyssa Healy, described Kohli as the “best” he has ever seen in one-day cricket and said the former India captain operates at a level few batters can match.

The Australian’s praise is particularly significant because Kohli has produced several memorable performances against Australia during his international career. Maxwell, who played alongside Kohli for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, recalled watching some of those innings from close quarters.

Maxwell calls Kohli a different level

When asked to identify his greatest players across the three international formats, Maxwell immediately picked Kohli for ODI cricket.

He highlighted Kohli’s ability to find gaps and control where the ball goes, while also pointing to the extra time the Indian batter appears to have when facing bowlers.

Maxwell’s assessment was emphatic. He said some of Kohli’s innings against Australia had been “ridiculous” and described him as being on a “different level”.

The comments came as part of a wider discussion in which Maxwell named a different player for each format. His choices showed that his assessment was based not simply on statistics but also on the qualities he values most in each form of cricket.

For ODIs, Kohli’s ability to control innings, accelerate when required and consistently perform in pressure situations clearly stood out to Maxwell.

Kohli’s extraordinary ODI numbers

Kohli’s statistical record provides considerable support for Maxwell’s assessment.

According to the figures cited in the report, Kohli has scored 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs, averaging 58.59. His tally includes 54 centuries and 79 fifties.

His record becomes even more remarkable when successful run chases are considered.

Kohli has scored 6,235 runs in 111 successful-chase matches, averaging an extraordinary 89.07. He has made 24 centuries and 29 fifties in those matches.

That reputation as one of the greatest chase specialists in ODI history has been central to Kohli’s standing in the format.

Rather than relying purely on boundary-hitting, Kohli has traditionally built ODI innings through strike rotation, running between the wickets and precise placement. Maxwell’s comments specifically focused on that ability to put the ball exactly where he wants it.

Kohli continues to produce in 2026

Despite being in the later stages of his international career, Kohli has continued to make an impact in ODIs in 2026.

The NDTV report noted that he has scored 384 runs in six ODI innings this year at an average of 64.00, with a century and three fifties. His strike rate has been above 106 during that period.

The numbers underline why Kohli remains an important part of India’s ODI setup.

His longevity is another major element of his legacy. Maintaining a high level of performance across more than a decade of international cricket, while adapting to changes in bowling attacks, fielding restrictions and playing conditions, has helped establish Kohli as one of the defining ODI batters of his generation.

Maxwell picks Russell for T20 cricket

Maxwell’s choices did not stop with Kohli.

For T20 cricket, the Australian selected West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell. Maxwell pointed to Russell’s combination of explosive batting, fast bowling and athletic fielding as the reason for his choice.

He described Russell as a “perfect cricketer” in the T20 format, highlighting his ability to hit the ball enormous distances while also bowling at around 140 kmph and contributing in key fielding positions.

Russell’s T20 career statistics also demonstrate the extraordinary range of his game.

He has accumulated 9,919 runs in 607 T20 matches at a strike rate of 166.70, while also taking 535 wickets. He has struck 808 sixes in the format.

For Maxwell, it was this combination of multiple skills that made Russell his preferred T20 player.

Steve Smith gets Maxwell’s Test vote

For Test cricket, Maxwell went closer to home.

He chose Australia teammate Steve Smith, recalling Smith’s outstanding performances during Australia’s 2017 tour of India.

Maxwell was part of that Australian squad and remembered watching Smith score heavily during the series. Smith accumulated 499 runs in eight innings, including three centuries, during the tour.

Maxwell said he felt fortunate to have been part of the squad and witness Smith’s batting during that period.

Smith’s overall Test record has also developed into one of the finest in Australian cricket. The figures cited by NDTV put him at 10,920 Test runs from 125 matches, with 37 centuries and 45 fifties, at an average of 56.00.

Maxwell’s Kohli admiration is no surprise

Maxwell’s choice of Kohli also carries an interesting connection because the two spent several IPL seasons together at RCB.

Their relationship has often been visible both on and off the field, with Maxwell regularly speaking highly of Kohli’s intensity, preparation and competitiveness.

Maxwell has also faced Kohli as an Australian international, giving him first-hand experience of trying to contain the Indian batter in high-pressure ODI matches.

That experience makes his assessment particularly interesting. Rather than simply selecting a player based on reputation, Maxwell has watched Kohli perform against Australia while competing at the highest level.

Kohli’s ability to dominate run chases, particularly when India needed him to control the tempo of an innings, has been one of the defining features of his ODI career.

A personal verdict, but a powerful endorsement

There is no universally accepted answer to the question of who is the greatest ODI cricketer of all time.

Players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Ricky Ponting and several other legends have strong claims depending on the criteria used. Statistics, longevity, World Cup performances, match-winning contributions and individual impact can all produce different answers.

Maxwell, however, has made his preference clear.

For the Australian, Kohli’s ability to control the ball and consistently find gaps separates him from the rest. His comments also reinforce the respect Kohli commands among opponents who have spent years competing against him.

With 14,941 ODI runs and 54 centuries already attached to his name, Kohli’s statistical legacy is difficult to overlook.

Glenn Maxwell’s selection of Virat Kohli as the best ODI cricketer he has ever seen adds another major endorsement to the Indian star’s already remarkable legacy. While the GOAT debate will always remain subjective, Kohli’s numbers, consistency and extraordinary record in successful run chases provide strong reasons for Maxwell’s choice. The Australian’s verdict is clear: when it comes to ODI cricket, Kohli is simply on another level.