What Made Virat Kohli Finally Unblock Glenn Maxwell on Instagram?

Glenn Maxwell and Virat Kohli, now close friends, once shared a tense relationship marked by intense on-field competition and personal friction. In Maxwell’s recently published book, “The Showman”, the Australian all-rounder reveals how Kohli ultimately backed his inclusion in Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after his controversial tenure with Punjab Kings, showing gratitude to the former RCB captain for his support.

The turning point in their relationship came before the IPL 2021 season when RCB acquired Maxwell for INR 14.25 crore, making the team’s batting lineup one of the strongest in the league. With stars like Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Maxwell himself, RCB presented a formidable team on paper. Maxwell’s efforts, including scoring over 500 runs, helped RCB secure a spot in the Playoffs and ultimately finish in third place that season. However, Maxwell and Kohli’s camaraderie didn’t develop overnight, as an incident from 2017 left Kohli with lingering resentment.

In 2017, during the heated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia, tensions ran high between the two teams. Kohli injured his shoulder in the third Test while fielding, which led Maxwell to imitate Kohli by clutching his own shoulder in a mocking gesture when it was Australia’s turn to field. Kohli ultimately missed the fourth Test due to the injury, and the gesture likely left him feeling slighted.

In a recent interview on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Maxwell recounted that, upon joining RCB, he tried following Kohli on Instagram, only to realize he couldn’t find him. A teammate suggested Kohli might have blocked him, a suspicion Maxwell eventually confirmed when he asked Kohli directly. Kohli admitted to blocking Maxwell, explaining that it was a reaction to Maxwell’s taunting during the Test series. Kohli eventually unblocked him, marking the start of a more positive phase in their relationship.

Over the years, their relationship has evolved significantly. Maxwell noted that they’ve shared many personal milestones, including becoming parents around the same time. Reflecting on their early days, Maxwell acknowledged that both were once “young and brash,” known for their fierce competitiveness. Now, sharing experiences off the field as well as on it, they have formed a strong friendship that has enriched both their personal and professional lives.