Glenn Maxwell ignores Virat Kohli, picks this batter as the best he has ever bowled to

Australia allrounder Glenn Maxwell has revealed the name of the best batter he has ever bowled to. Surprisingly, the batter is not Virat Kohli, with whom Maxwell has played a lot of cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Instead, the 36-year-old picked AB de Villiers as that player. De Villiers is undoubtedly one of the best and most versatile batters the game has ever seen. He possessed some superhuman qualities and could hit the ball at any corner of the ground.

AB de Villiers was not a one-format player but had the ability to play all the formats of the game. His records speak highly about his capabilities as a player. The legendary South African had brilliant records in all the formats.

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Glenn Maxwell picks AB de Villiers as the best he has ever bowled to

During a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Glenn Maxwell was asked about the best batter he has ever bowled to among Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. It was a tough question for the star Australian cricketer but he chose AB de Villiers above Virat Kohli.

Maxwell revealed that he has picked up the wicket of Kohli a couple of times which is the reason why he didn't take his name. Talking about AB de Villiers, he mentioned that the legendary South African could hit the ball at any part of the ground.

"Virat's (Kohli) is pretty good, but I have got him out a couple of times, so that discounts him straight away. Probably AB (de Villiers). AB is just like ridiculously good. (He) could hit anywhere," Maxwell said.

Kohli or ABD: Who is the best batter Glenn Maxwell has bowled to? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/kj8GQT76Pl

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 25, 2024

Glenn Maxwell on AB de Villiers' masterclass

Maxwell further remembered a match between Australia and South Africa during a tri-series that involved Zimbabwe as well. He revealed how AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis batted on a turning pitch against him and easily hit him at all parts of the ground.

"I think there was a game when him and Faf were batting in Harare. There was a tri-series there. Him and Faf (du Plessis) both got hundreds. I remember bowling (to them). They were just basically picking me off left, right, and centre. The wicket was spinning and it didn't matter. They were both way too good," he added.

Glenn Maxwell has played cricket with both Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. While he has played for four IPL seasons with Virat Kohli in Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he also played in AB de Villiers' last IPL season in the year 2021.

Will Glenn Maxwell and Virat Kohli be playing together again?

Both Kohli and Maxwell have become close friends with each other over the years during their time for RCB in the IPL. Both of them are also currently a part of RCB.

While Kohli is certain to be retained in the IPL 2025 mega auctions in the top retention category, Maxwell is unlikely to be retained by RCB. However, there is a possibility that the franchise may opt for RTM to bring back Maxwell into the team.