‘Maxwell has set the right example’

India skipper Virat Kohli Wednesday lauded Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s courage to take a break from cricket because of mental health issues and said international players should be looked after.

Maxwell, one of the world’s best batsman in the shortest format, left Australia’s Twenty20 squad last month during a series against touring Sri Lanka. Kohli praised Maxwell for putting his health before the game.

“I am absolutely for it,” Kohli said ahead of India’s first Test against Bangladesh in Indore starting Thursday.

“I think what Glenn has done is remarkable and has set the right example for cricketers all over the world.” He added: “I think these things should be respected and not taken in a negative way.”

Kohli recounted his own inhibitions during his 2014 tour of England when he managed just 134 runs from 10 innings with an highest score of 39.

“I have gone through a phase in my career where it was the end of the world,” said Kohli.

“In England 2014 I just didn’t know what to do, what say to anyone, how to speak, how to communicate.

“I could have said that I am not feeling great mentally and need to get away from the game. But you never know how that’s taken.”