Glenn Maxwell vs. Virat Kohli: Different Styles, Similar Impact on ODI Cricket

The styles of cricket played by Glenn Maxwell and Virat Kohli are diametrically opposed. One wields the bat like a brush, creating delicate lines on the green canvas, while the other wields it like Thor's hammer, smashing through obstacles with immense force.

There is, however, one element that connects the two despite the differences in how they approach the game. No, it isn't because they both play for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and are 35 years old. It's because both are expert finishers who emerge victorious from challenging—and even almost unachievable—situations in their team games. They are the ones that give otherwise boring writing unexpected twists.

While Kohli's historic 49th ODI century at the Eden Park the other day did not occur while behind, consider his second-inning performances of 85 against Australia in Chennai and 95 against New Zealand at Dharamsala.

While chasing 274 against New Zealand, India's openers had given the team a respectable start. For Kohli, it was just a matter of continuing to hold the renowned Black Caps attack at bay. Left-handed, Kohli is capable of it. However, the match against Australia presented a distinct challenge, as India was reduced to 3/2 in the second over, and even though the chase was just 200, it required the surgical accuracy of a surgeon. Kohli took all the strain like blotting paper and continued chipping away at the target with KL Rahul on his side.

On Tuesday, Maxwell achieved his team's victory by doing everything that Kohli failed to do. Maxwell looked to worry as he had many near misses as Australia lost more than half their side and had little runs on the board. However, after he got beyond that initial anxiety, Maxwell played the game of a lifetime and provided an incredible experience for everyone in attendance, whether they were on television or on the ground. Commentator Ian Smith said it best, calling it "staggering, absolutely mind-blowing."

In one-day internationals, Maxwell's total while batting second won't leave you speechless. In 53 innings, he has scored 1561 runs at an average of 38.07. In contrast, Kohli seems to be a massive force, with 7794 runs from 152 innings at an average of 65.49. Although Maxwell's weight of runs may not equal that of the great Indian, he outscores Kohli in terms of strike rate by a wide margin. Maxwell, batting second, hits for 122.23 against Kohli's 93.64.

While highlighting those numbers, the goal is not to draw parallel lines between the two to determine who is superior; rather, it is to emphasize that, despite the differences in their approaches, both have achieved a level of finishing proficiency that very few people in history have attained. Sure, a few names have been inscribed in that category, but Michael Bevan lacked Kohli's charm, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, for all his amazing strokeplay at the end of games, may not have had Maxwell's insanity in him.

Both Kohli and Maxwell provide two distinct skill sets that the cricket players of the future should study. While Maxwell has shown how you can succeed even if you are made immobile to run the singles, Kohli, who is not an obsessive six-hitter, personifies hard labor as he snatches those ones and twos without tiring while chasing down targets. The models that each have established might result in a future finisher who combines elements of the two. Such personalities are necessary for the one-day game to remain relevant.

In terms of one-day cricket, Kohli and Maxwell are vital players in the overall picture of the competition's quest for survival. These are the limbs that 50-over cricket is desperately trying to hold onto as the ground underneath them is gradually moving in the direction of the more hip T20 format.

The ODI World Cup, which is now underway, has been criticized for being glaringly biased and for lacking the major moments that give a major competition its allure. However, that was before Kohli and Maxwell made the decision to intervene and change things up a few days ago. First came Kohli, whose world-record breaking 49th ODI hundred had everyone bending over backwards; then came Maxwell, who, like a legendary hero, fought a fight on one leg against overwhelming odds and prevailed.

If you have appreciated them in their performance, you have to acknowledge that only in One-Day International cricket are such masterpieces achievable.

A Kohli or a Maxwell can only reach their utmost potential in one-dayers. Although tests could be more difficult, they won't always allow them to accomplish what they want since red-ball cricket involves a lot of different aspects. In contrast, a T20 resembles a one-bedroom apartment where 22 individuals compete for little space while attempting to create a significant impression. ODIs, however, are distinct. It pampers you with chances to go slambang like T20s while giving you the mental freedom of a five-day game. It bestows to you a Maxwell and a Kohli.

A CUP OF HEROES UNDER

One of the greatest World Cup innings ever will be remembered as Glenn Maxwell's 201 not out on Tuesday at the Wankhede, despite his limp. Here are a few more breathtaking performances from Australia over the years in the main event:

1975: Gary Gilmour, best bowling in that edition, 6/14 versus Eng at Leeds (semi-final).

The left-arm pacer was selected for the semi-final match against England, which was a reward for his patience after he failed to earn a match in the early going. He destroyed England for ninety-three on a green and wet wicket. Australia was down to 39/6, when Gilmour scored a run-aball 28 to guarantee Australia a spot in the championship game.

■ 1979: Alan Hurst had the best bowling in that edition with 5/21 against Canada in Birmingham.

After a brilliant spell, the right-arm fast dismissed Canada for 105 in 33.2 overs. After that, Australia took 26 overs to reach the goal.

■ 1983: Ken MacLeay bowled the second best in that edition (6/39) against India in Nottingham.

The Indian hitters were destroyed by the medium pacer, and they lost by 162 runs. Australia outperformed them with a score of 320/9, although Kapil Dev led the way with 40.

■ 1987: Craig McDermott bowled the best in the semi-final in Lahore (5/44 against Pakistan).

The pacer stunned Pakistan in the semi-final, taking Australia to within one victory of their first World Cup title. In the last over, Australia reached 267/8 when McDermott performed his magic, causing Pakistan to collapse and end up all out for 249.

■ 1992: David Boon, 100 in Melbourne vs WI

Boon and Tom Moody put up a century-run opening partnership on a challenging MCG surface, but none of the other batsmen could build on the start. Boon scored a century on 147 balls. With just Brian Lara among runs, the West Indies' pursuit of 217 was a complete failure.

• 1996: Damien Fleming, 5/36 at Wankhede against. Ind.

On a sluggish Wankhede surface, the Australian pacer was outstanding in a tight contest. After scoring 126, Mark Waugh got rid of the well-established Tendulkar for 90. Against India, Fleming returned with his greatest stats as India was knocked out for 242.

1999: Steve Waugh, at Leeds, 120 not out against SA

Encountering 272 with little leeway, Waugh produced one of the best centuries in One-Day International cricket history. With two balls remaining, he completed his century off 91 balls, and with the help of Tom Moody and Michael Bevan, the five-wicket win was secured.

■ 2003: Andrew Symonds, at Johannesburg, 143 not out against Pakistan, and Andrew Bichel, at Port Elizabeth, 7/20 against England

At The Wanderers, Australia unveiled a new hero and started their championship defense with a victory. Australia was in danger at 86/4 but Andrew Symonds got them to 310/8. Pakistan was never able to really stay in the hunt. Bichel delivered one of the most damaging spells to limit England to 204 runs in Port Elizabeth. With two balls left, Australia prevailed by two wickets in an exciting chase.

■ 2007: Bridgetown final, Adam Gilchrist, 149 vs SL

With the help of compact boundaries, a level playing surface, and a squash ball tucked inside his left glove, Gilchrist managed to record the highest individual score in a final with 149. Australia prevailed using the D/L technique, but Lanka ultimately gave up the pursuit.

2011: Quarterfinal, Ricky Ponting, 104 vs Ind at Ahmedabad

The skipper put up a respectable 260 against India in the second quarter-final with 104 off 118. Brad Haddin was the only one who was unable to repel the assault. However, Yuvraj Singh's late strike helped India snap the Australians' winning run.

■ 2015: Mitchell Starc, Auckland, 6/28 versus NZ

The left-arm bowler had a devastating stint in a low-scoring encounter that almost saw Australia win, but Kane Williamson's unbeaten forty-five enabled the hosts win by one wicket.

■ 2019: Mitchell Starc, at Lord's on May 26 vs NZ

Australia had a challenging World Cup, but with to Starc's stint, they were able to remove New Zealand for 157 after being given a target of 244. The Australians prevailed by 86 runs despite losing early wickets and a hat-trick from Trent Boult.