Ex-RCB Star AB de Villiers Says Virat Kohli Ghosted Him...

South African star AB de Villiers, who is also known as Mr 360 degree, recently shared insights into a misunderstanding that strained his relationship with Virat Kohli last year. This incident led to Kohli not speaking to him for several months. However, the two cricket legends have since reconciled, as evidenced by their emotional embrace at the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad on June 3. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first IPL title that night.

Reflecting on the situation, de Villiers explained how he felt relieved when Kohli resumed communication with him earlier this year. He acknowledged making a mistake in 2024 when he prematurely disclosed personal information about Kohli's absence from cricket due to family reasons. De Villiers had initially defended Kohli's decision to skip a home series against England, citing the birth of his second child.

De Villiers' Blunder and Reconciliation

The former South African cricketer admitted his error during an interview with Cricket.com. He expressed gratitude for reconnecting with Kohli after the misunderstanding. "I know we were in the same boat because we spoke about it," de Villiers said. "He's been in touch with me over the last six months. Thank goodness!"

De Villiers further elaborated on their discussions, revealing that Kohli sought advice during a challenging phase in his career. "We all know he went through a bit of a patch and sort of wanted to bounce a few ideas off me," de Villiers noted. He shared personal experiences and offered support to Kohli, understanding the pressures of being constantly in the spotlight.

Kohli's Test Retirement and Personal Life

The conversation between de Villiers and Kohli also touched upon retirement decisions. Both players had retired from Test cricket earlier than expected, drawing parallels between their choices. De Villiers expressed his full support for Kohli's decision to continue playing cricket from the heart.

In early 2024, Kohli took a break from national duties, which sparked criticism from experts. De Villiers initially defended him on his YouTube channel but later retracted his statement, admitting it was incorrect information. He emphasized that family should always come first and wished Kohli well during this period.

Family First: Acknowledging Mistakes

During an interview with Dainik Bhaskar at the SA20 league in South Africa, de Villiers acknowledged his mistake publicly. "Family comes first and then Cricket," he stated. He reiterated that whatever is best for Virat's family should take precedence and hoped for Kohli's strong return to cricket.

Despite the initial tension caused by de Villiers' revelation, which turned out to be true as Kohli welcomed his son Akaay on February 15, 2024, both players have moved past it.