The close friendship between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, two legends of the cricketing world, reportedly experienced a rough patch after de Villiers inadvertently shared private information about Kohli's family.
According to recent reports, AB de Villiers revealed that Virat Kohli didn't speak to him for months following a blunder made by de Villiers on his YouTube channel in early 2024. At the time, Kohli had taken a break from the Indian team, citing personal reasons, specifically missing the Test series against England. De Villiers, in an attempt to defend Kohli's decision, stated that Kohli and his wife, Anushka Sharma, were expecting their second child.
However, de Villiers soon realized his mistake. He had shared sensitive information that wasn't yet public knowledge and, according to him, wasn't entirely accurate at the time. He quickly retracted his statement, admitting he had made a blunder. Despite clarifying his statement, the damage was done. Kohli, known for fiercely guarding his personal life, was reportedly unhappy with de Villiers' disclosure, leading to a period of silence between the two friends.
De Villiers recently acknowledged the strained period, stating that Kohli had "ghosted" him for months after the incident. He expressed relief that Kohli eventually resumed contact, mentioning that they reconnected earlier this year. "I know we were in the same boat because we spoke about it. He's been in touch with me over the last six months. Thank goodness! Because I did have a bit of a footfall not too long ago when they were expecting their second child. So, I was very relieved when he started talking to me again," de Villiers told Cricket.com.
The rekindling of their friendship was evident during the IPL 2025 final, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their first-ever title. Kohli and de Villiers, both former RCB stalwarts, were seen sharing an emotional hug and celebrating the victory together. This public display of affection signaled that their bond had indeed been restored.
De Villiers also shared insights into Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket. He revealed that Kohli had reached out to him during a challenging phase, seeking advice and sharing ideas. De Villiers said he offered his perspective, drawing from his own experiences of navigating similar moments in his career. “We all know he went through a bit of a patch and sort of wanted to bounce a few ideas off me. How did I get through certain moments of my life? So, I knew what kind of phase he was going through."
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting personal boundaries, even within close friendships. While de Villiers' intentions were likely well-meaning, his actions inadvertently caused a rift with Kohli. However, the fact that they were able to overcome this misunderstanding and rebuild their friendship speaks volumes about the strength of their bond. The reunion of the two legends was a heartwarming moment for cricket fans, highlighting the enduring power of friendship amidst the pressures and scrutiny of professional sports.
