Sports News: Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers recently opened up about a temporary rift in his friendship with Virat Kohli, suggesting their bond cooled for a while after a misunderstanding stemming from de Villiers’ disclosure of Anushka Sharma’s pregnancy during a live stream last year.
Why Kohli Fell Silent After the Incident
However, De Villiers revealed that it was just a few months ago that Kohli started talking with him. His comment came after it was publicly reported — incorrectly — that Kohli and Anushka were expecting their second child, a claim de Villiers later addressed and called a mistake.
The two, however, were back on friendly terms this season. Earlier this month, after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their first IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the 2025 final, de Villiers and Kohli were seen warmly embracing and celebrate their team’s triumph together.
In a conversation with media, de Villiers explained that the silence between them was temporary and that communication resumed a few months back. “We fell out of touch for a while, and honestly, I was quite relieved when we started talking again. There were some tough moments after I spoke about their second child, and we hadn’t been in contact for a bit. So it was nice when we connected once more and put it all behind us.”
Support and Guidance During Tough Times
AB also shared his views on Kohli’s future in the sport due to his recent retirement from Test cricket. “We all know he went through a challenging phase. He even called me to talk it through — to get my view and advice on a few things. I understood where he was coming from, considering his age, the number of matches he has played, and the pressures that come with staying at the highest level. There are many factors that weigh on you — from form and fitness to team politics. I was able to be frank with him about what I felt and what I saw from the outside. "I'm happy when I get to know that he is continuing to play cricket and that that decision comes from the heart, and I support him 100 per cent with that," he added.
