Source: NDTV Sports

In the dynamic world of cricket, few discussions ignite as much passion or spark as much contention as the perennial ‘Greatest Of All Time’ (GOAT) debate. Fans, pundits, and former players alike regularly weigh in, often with deeply personal biases and subjective interpretations of greatness. Yet, when an active, globally recognised all-rounder, who has shared the field with many of the sport’s modern titans, offers his definitive verdict, the cricketing world sits up and takes notice. Such is the case with Australia’s flamboyant Glenn Maxwell, whose recent pronouncements on the ‘Keeping it Cricket’ podcast, hosted by Brad Haddin and Alyssa Healy, have injected fresh perspectives into these heated discussions. This is breaking news analysis from Cricket Mantra.

The ODI Maestro: Virat Kohli’s Unassailable Reign

For Maxwell, the debate over the greatest ever in One-Day International (ODI) cricket is decisively settled by one name: Virat Kohli. The Australian, known for his explosive batting and clever off-spin, expressed profound admiration for the Indian batting icon, stating, ‘The best I ever saw in one-day cricket, is Kohli.’ This isn’t merely a casual compliment but a testament to Kohli’s consistent brilliance against top-tier opposition, as Maxwell elaborated, ‘Some of the innings he has played against us have been ridiculous. He has just got more time. He is able to put the ball where he wants in the field, and yeah, just a different level.’

Kohli’s ODI statistics provide irrefutable evidence to back Maxwell’s claim. With a staggering 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs (302 innings) at an exceptional average of 58.59, including 54 centuries and 79 fifties, he stands as one of the format’s most prolific and consistent scorers. What truly sets Kohli apart, and perhaps what Maxwell alludes to with ‘a different level,’ is his unparalleled record in successful run chases. Here, Kohli has amassed 6,235 runs in 111 matches (105 innings) at an astonishing average of 89.07, featuring 24 centuries and 29 fifties. This ability to absorb pressure, anchor an innings, and accelerate precisely when needed has earned him the moniker ‘Chase Master.’

His recent form only solidifies his legendary status, demonstrating that even after years at the pinnacle, his hunger for runs remains undiminished. In six innings this year, he has scored 384 runs at an average of 64.00 and a strike rate exceeding 106, including one century and three fifties. These numbers not only confirm his ongoing impact but also underline the sustained excellence that few players in the history of the game have maintained over such an extended period. Maxwell’s assessment isn’t just about raw numbers; it’s about the intangible quality, the supreme control, and the effortless ability to manipulate the field that characterises Kohli’s batting.

The T20 Dynamo: Andre Russell’s Explosive Blueprint

Shifting gears to the high-octane world of Twenty20 (T20) cricket, Maxwell’s choice for the format’s GOAT points to an altogether different kind of genius: West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell. Maxwell found it ‘hard to go past someone like Andre Russell,’ emphasizing the sheer physical dominance and destructive power the Jamaican possesses. ‘Just their power is ridiculous. If they keep going, you cannot stop them. They hit the ball so hard and far,’ Maxwell noted, highlighting the fear Russell strikes into opposition bowlers.

What elevates Russell beyond a mere power-hitter, in Maxwell’s estimation, is his multi-faceted contribution. ‘To back that up, he was bowling 140 clicks and fielding in hot spots. He is just literally a perfect cricketer,’ Maxwell asserted. Russell’s T20 career statistics paint a vivid picture of this ‘perfect cricketer.’ In 607 T20s, he has smashed 9,919 runs at an average of 26.03 and an astounding strike rate of 166.70, including two centuries and 36 fifties, with a best score of 121*. His tally of 808 sixes is a testament to his boundary-hitting prowess.

But Russell’s impact isn’t confined to his batting. With the ball, he has taken 535 wickets at an average of 25.57, including 10 four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul (best figures of 5/15), often bowling crucial overs at the start or death of an innings. Combined with his athletic fielding, Russell embodies the modern T20 cricketer: an explosive batter, a genuine wicket-taker, and a livewire in the field. His consistent presence in global T20 leagues underscores his unique value and undisputed status as one of the format’s most impactful individuals.

Test Cricket’s Maverick: Steve Smith’s Unconventional Genius

For the purist’s format, Test cricket, Maxwell didn’t have to look far from home, naming his fellow Australian teammate, Steve Smith, as his choice. Maxwell’s admiration for Smith stems from personal experience, recalling the 2017 series in India where he was part of the Test squad. ‘I got to be a part of the Test squad in 2017 in that series in India… where he peeled off a couple of hundreds and was just batting on a different planet,’ Maxwell recounted, adding, ‘Oh, I think he got three hundreds during that tour. He was just incredible. I felt lucky to be a part of that squad just to be able to witness that.’

Smith’s performance in that challenging 2017 India series was indeed monumental, where he scored 499 runs in 8 innings, including three centuries – a testament to his adaptability and mental fortitude in extremely tough conditions. This series encapsulated the essence of Smith’s Test batting: a relentless hunger for runs, an unconventional technique that confounds bowlers, and an unparalleled ability to concentrate for extended periods.

His overall Test record places him among the greatest batters in Australian history, standing as the fourth-highest Test run-getter for his country. With 10,920 runs in 125 matches (223 innings) at an outstanding average of 56.00, Smith boasts 37 centuries and 45 fifties, with a career-best score of 239. This average, rivalled by very few in the sport’s long history, particularly among those who have played a significant number of matches, underscores his phenomenal consistency and dominance in the red-ball format. Maxwell’s first-hand account of Smith’s genius adds weight to these incredible statistics, illustrating the awe he inspires even among his peers.

The ‘Big Show’s’ Perspective: Why Maxwell’s Picks Resonate

Glenn Maxwell’s selections are particularly compelling because they come from a player who himself has excelled across all three formats at the international level. As an active cricketer, Maxwell has faced Kohli’s dominance, witnessed Russell’s destructive power from the opposition dugout, and shared dressing rooms with Smith, observing his meticulous preparation and unique approach. This intimate, on-field perspective lends significant credibility to his choices, moving beyond mere statistical appreciation to a deeper understanding of skill, temperament, and adaptability under pressure.

His insights highlight not just technical brilliance but the intangible qualities that define true greatness: Kohli’s ability to own the chase, Russell’s game-changing impact in fleeting moments, and Smith’s unwavering focus and unorthodox mastery in the longest format. Maxwell’s experience playing with and against these titans across diverse conditions and formats gives him a rare lens through which to evaluate their respective claims to GOAT status.

A Pantheon of Modern Greats

In essence, Maxwell’s ‘Keeping it Cricket’ podcast appearance offers a contemporary player’s definitive take on cricket’s current pantheon. His choices—Virat Kohli for ODIs, Andre Russell for T20s, and Steve Smith for Tests—represent players who have not only dominated their respective formats statistically but have redefined what’s possible within them. They are individuals who command respect not just for their numbers but for their sheer match-winning impact and ability to consistently perform at an extraordinary level. While the GOAT debate will undoubtedly continue to rage, Maxwell’s articulate and experience-backed endorsements provide a compelling and insightful contribution to the discussion, shaping how fans and future generations might view these modern legends.

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Disclaimer: Cricket Mantra builds on reporting from NDTV Sports for this story, adding independent analysis and broader context for readers.