Glenn Maxwell Reveals How Virat Kohli Blocked Him on Instagram
"What had actually happened was that when Australia toured India for one of the hottest Test series of all time, Maxwell had taken a jibe at Kohli," he explained on the LiSTNR Sport podcast. During a particularly intense Test series, tensions flared on both sides, and Maxwell couldn’t resist poking fun at Kohli after he injured his shoulder while fielding.
In a recent revelation, Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell shared the amusing story of how he discovered that Indian cricket star Virat Kohli had blocked him on Instagram. The incident highlights the evolving relationship between the two players, which transitioned from frosty to friendly over the years.
Maxwell discusses this in his newly released book, The Showman, where he reflects on the support Kohli provided during his time with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Following a controversial stint with the Punjab Kings, Maxwell was acquired by RCB for a staggering INR 14.25 crore ahead of the 2021 IPL season. With a lineup featuring Kohli, AB de Villiers, and himself, RCB appeared to have one of the most formidable batting orders in the league. Maxwell ended up scoring over 500 runs that season, contributing significantly to RCB's playoff run.
However, before they became teammates, an incident during the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy caused a rift between the two. Maxwell recounted how, prior to joining RCB, Kohli was the first to welcome him via message. They spent time training together, but Maxwell found it curious that he couldn’t find Kohli on social media. When he learned from someone that Kohli had blocked him, he was taken aback.
"What had actually happened was that when Australia toured India for one of the hottest Test series of all time, Maxwell had taken a jibe at Kohli," he explained on the LiSTNR Sport podcast. During a particularly intense Test series, tensions flared on both sides, and Maxwell couldn’t resist poking fun at Kohli after he injured his shoulder while fielding.
Maxwell humorously imitated Kohli, clutching his shoulder during the match, an act that didn’t sit well with the Indian captain. Kohli ended up missing the final Test in Dharamsala due to the injury, making Maxwell’s antics even more significant. When Maxwell confronted Kohli about the block, Kohli admitted, "Yeah, probably. It was when you mocked me during that Test match. I think I got the sh*** and decided to block you."
"It was a nice little story to have as a side note, but we've had quite a funny relationship leading up to playing the IPL together," Maxwell said. "We were both young and brash and going hard at each other on the field. We were in the front and center of all that."
Today, both cricketers share a strong camaraderie, proving that even the most competitive spirits can forge lasting friendships, moving past their earlier disagreements.
