Glenn Maxwell Shares How Virat Kohli Blocked Him on Instagram After Injury Joke

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Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell disclosed that Virat Kohli blocked him on Instagram after Maxwell mocked Kohli's shoulder injury during the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Their relationship improved when Maxwell joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2021 for Rs 14.25 crore. Initially, Maxwell was unaware of the block until he tried to follow Kohli on Instagram and couldn't find his profile.

Maxwell recounted that upon joining RCB, Kohli was the first to welcome him with a message. During pre-IPL training, they spent considerable time together. "When I knew I was going to RCB, Virat was the first guy to message me and welcome me to the team," Maxwell shared on the Willow Talk podcast on LiSTNR Sport.

Social Media Block

Maxwell attempted to follow Kohli on social media but couldn't locate his account. Initially, he thought it might be a technical issue or that Kohli wasn't active online. However, someone suggested that Kohli might have blocked him, which explained why he couldn't find him.

During the 2017 Test series in India, Kohli injured his shoulder while fielding in Ranchi. Maxwell later mimicked Kohli by holding his own shoulder, an act that didn't sit well with Kohli, who missed the following Dharamsala Test due to his injury.

Clearing the Air

Maxwell eventually confronted Kohli about the block. "I went and asked him 'Have you blocked me on Instagram?' And, he was like, 'Yeah, probably. It was when you mocked me during that Test match. I think I got the sh*** and decided to block you,'" Maxwell recounted.

After this conversation, Kohli unblocked Maxwell, and they developed a strong friendship. "We’ve had quite a funny relationship," Maxwell noted, highlighting how their bond evolved over time.

Growing Friendship

Their camaraderie grew as they worked together at RCB. They shared experiences both on and off the field, including becoming parents around the same time. "It was a nice little story to have as a little side note," Maxwell said about their journey from rivals to friends.

Reflecting on their past interactions, Maxwell mentioned how they were both young and competitive back then. He recalled being encouraged to provoke Kohli during matches, saying, "We were in the front and centre of all that as well."

Their story illustrates how professional rivalries can transform into friendships through shared experiences and mutual respect over time.