Glenn Maxwell Recalls Virat Kohli Blocking Him on Instagram: "When You Mocked Me"
"I was like, 'I can't find him.' I thought, 'I'm sure he's on social media somewhere, so I didn't think anything of it. I didn't really understand why he wasn't coming up and then someone mentioned that he might have blocked you. That is the only way you're not able to find him,'" Maxwell explained.
Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has shared an amusing anecdote about the time he was blocked by Indian cricket star Virat Kohli on Instagram. Although both players have developed a strong friendship during their time together at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), their relationship wasn’t always smooth.
The Initial Tension
Maxwell joined RCB ahead of the 2021 IPL season for a hefty sum of INR 14.25 crore and quickly proved his worth, scoring over 500 runs and leading the team to the playoffs. However, before this successful stint, there was a moment of tension between him and Kohli stemming from an on-field incident in 2017.
In a recent appearance on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Maxwell recalled his surprise at not being able to find Kohli on Instagram when he attempted to follow him. Initially, he thought nothing of it but later learned from others that Kohli might have blocked him.
"I was like, 'I can't find him.' I thought, 'I'm sure he's on social media somewhere, so I didn't think anything of it. I didn't really understand why he wasn't coming up and then someone mentioned that he might have blocked you. That is the only way you're not able to find him,'" Maxwell explained.
The Revelation
To clarify the situation, Maxwell decided to confront Kohli directly, asking, "Have you blocked me on Instagram?" Kohli responded candidly, saying, "Yeah probably. It was when you mocked me during that Test match. I think I got the sh*** and decided to block you."
Maxwell humorously acknowledged Kohli's reaction, stating, "I was like 'yeah, that's fair enough.'" Fortunately, the two were able to move past the incident, and Kohli eventually unblocked Maxwell, leading to a solid friendship.
Uncertainty Ahead for Maxwell
As the IPL retention deadline approaches, there are questions regarding Maxwell's future at RCB, especially after his disappointing performance in IPL 2024, where he ended the season with just 52 runs. This lackluster showing has led to speculation that he might be replaced by other players, such as England all-rounder Will Jacks.
The story of Maxwell and Kohli serves as a reminder that even in high-pressure environments like professional sports, personal relationships can evolve and grow, even after a rocky start.
