Why did Virat Kohli stop talking for Months with RCB legend AB de Villiers? Revealed

Add as a preferred source on Google

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have long shared a deep bond, both on and off the cricket field. From thrilling partnerships for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to mutual respect for each other's game and personalities, the duo has been central to RCB's identity over the years.

Their camaraderie was once again on display earlier this month when RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy after defeating Punjab Kings in the final of IPL 2025. Kohli and de Villiers embraced in an emotional reunion that delighted fans and underlined their enduring connection.

However, behind that heartfelt celebration lies a lesser-known episode of personal friction that had kept the two icons apart for months.

In a candid conversation with Cricket.com, AB de Villiers revealed that Virat Kohli had stopped speaking to him for a considerable period - a fallout that appeared to be triggered by a personal misstep.

"I know we were in the same boat because we spoke about it. He's been in touch with me over the last six months. Thank goodness! Because I did have a bit of a footfall not too long ago when they were expecting their second child. So, I was very relieved when he started talking to me again," de Villiers said.

What happened between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers?

The rift stemmed from an incident in early 2024, when Kohli had opted out of the home Test series against England citing personal reasons. While speculation was rife, it was de Villiers who, during a live stream, publicly revealed that Kohli and Anushka Sharma were expecting their second child - a revelation that, at the time, was not officially confirmed.

Days later, de Villiers walked back on his comments, acknowledging that he had made a "blunder" by speaking too soon. But the damage was done. Kohli, known to fiercely protect his family's privacy, took the misstep seriously, and the relationship between the two seemed to have cooled.

Fortunately, time and shared understanding mended the wounds. De Villiers confirmed that their communication resumed in the past six months, and that Kohli had even reached out for personal advice during a turbulent phase.

"We all know he went through a bit of a patch and sort of wanted to bounce a few ideas off me. How did I get through certain moments of my life. So, I knew what kind of phase he was going through, considering his age and how many games he's played, and the dynamics of being in the team all the time, the politics thereof as well. There are a lot of things weigh in on you, and so I shared with him from the heart what I felt and what I thought watching him on the screen. I'm happy he is still around playing cricket and that decision comes from the heart and I support him 100 per cent with that," de Villiers said.

In the end, the RCB title win may have been more than just a historic achievement on the field - it marked the healing of a cherished friendship off it.