Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers shared a heartfelt embrace on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, just moments before the IPL 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings kicked off. The two RCB legends — iconic figures in the franchise's history — were later seen side by side in post-match interviews and celebrations, as Bengaluru finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy. The emotional reunion was all the more special, given that the duo hadn’t been on speaking terms in recent times.
The former South African player talked candidly about his mistake from the previous year, which caused Kohli to ignore him for months, in an interview with Cricket.com. However, he acknowledged that he was pleased when, in the beginning of this year, the former India captain resumed speaking with him.
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When questioned about Kohli's decision to retire from Test cricket, De Villiers was asked if he saw a similarity between his 2018 decision and that of his old RCB teammate, who also announced their retirement "prematurely."
He then talked candidly about his conversation with Kohli over the same thing, adding that the Indian legend had only started speaking to him again six months prior following his 2024 gaffe.
"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," he said.
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"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," he added.
Citing personal reasons, Kohli had missed the entire home series against England in early 2024. Experts immediately criticized the choice, but De Villiers quickly defended him on his YouTube channel, claiming that Kohli was away from national duty because he and his wife, Anushka Sharma, were expecting their second child.
He abruptly withdrew his comments a few days later, claiming that he had "made a big mistake."
On the fringes of South Africa's then-current SA20 league, he spoke to Dainik Bhaskar and said: "Family comes first and then Cricket. I made a terrible mistake on my YouTube channel. That information was wrong and not true at all. Virat has every right to take a break from national duties due to family reasons. I think whatever's best for Virat's family, comes first. No one knows what's happening there, all I can do is wish him well. Whatever the reason for his break, I hope he can come back stronger, better, and fresh from this."
However, on February 15, 2024, Kohli and Anushka welcomed their second kid, a son named Akaay, proving that De Villiers' statement was accurate.
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