Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell now known as close friends and fierce teammates Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the year Indian Premier League (IPL) but their journey to companionship was complicated and fraught with early tension.
Maxwell’s book, ShowmanIt offers insight into the evolution of their relationship, revealing that Kohli once blocked her over an incident on Instagram. Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2017. Despite this cold phase, Kohli would later emerge as one of Maxwell’s biggest defenders when he joined RCB in 2021. Kings of Punjab (PBKS). This transition was a turning point in their friendship and their shared passion for success brought a new dimension to the RCB dressing room.
The incident that led to Virat Kohli blocking Glenn Maxwell
During the third Test of Australia’s tour of India in 2017, the two had an altercation. Kohli suffered a shoulder injury while fielding in Ranchi, temporarily sidelining him. Known for his flamboyant personality, Maxwell was seen imitating Kohli’s shoulder discomfort on the field, which Kohli took as disrespectful. Reflecting on the incident years later, Maxwell shared: “I remember joking about the injury. It was harmless to me at the time, but it hit Virat’s nerves.”
In an interview with the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Maxwell later recounted how he approached Kohli during the RCB training camp, asking:Have you blocked me on Instagram?” Kohli replied:Yes, probably. It was when he mocked me in a test match. I think I was on a whim and decided to block you” Maxwell admitted with a laugh, “Yeah, that’s fair enough,” I said. This honest exchange allowed them both to start over and turned their initial tension into a humorous memoir.
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Kohli’s support and Maxwell’s journey at RCB
Ahead of IPL 2021, RCB made a significant investment in Maxwell and bought him for Rs 14.25 crore. With Kohli’s encouragement and an RCB set of Kohli, Maxwell et al AB de VilliersMaxwell felt a renewed sense of purpose. Maxwell reflected, “When I found out I was going to RCB, Virat was the first person to message me and welcome me to the team. It felt authentic and removed any anxiety. Kohli’s support gave Maxwell the confidence to play his natural game and he flourished in the 2021 season, scoring over 500 runs to help RCB reach the playoffs.
Maxwell wrote in his book:Virat’s faith in me at RCB was the determining factor in my performance. “I owed it to him to show me what I could bring to the table.” Kohli’s faith in Maxwell helped the Aussie all-rounder handle the pressure of the IPL stage and eventually turned RCB into a formidable unit.
Uncertain future: Will RCB keep Maxwell?
Despite the successful seasons, Maxwell’s performance in 2024 declined significantly. With just 52 runs in 10 matches at an average of 5.78, he has struggled to replicate his previous form. With RCB undergoing a potential reshuffle and the retention period for IPL 2025 looming, Maxwell’s future with the team hangs in the balance. With an eye on rejuvenating the squad and possibly younger talent, RCB may release Maxwell ahead of the upcoming auction. Nevertheless, his contributions to the franchise and his friendship with Kohli have left an indelible mark on RCB’s recent history.
