Virat Kohli has recently found himself at the center of a social media storm after inadvertently liking photos of actress Avneet Kaur on Instagram. This seemingly innocent action sparked a wave of memes and speculation online, with fans and followers chiming in on the unexpected incident. Amid the uproar, singer Rahul Vaidya took a playful jab at Kohli, adding fuel to the fire.
The controversy began on May 2, 2025, when fans noticed that Kohli had liked several of Kaur's glamorous photos on a fan page. The incident quickly went viral, leading to a flurry of comments and jokes on social media, with many users humorously questioning the cricketer's motives. Some fans even speculated whether Kohli's wife, actress Anushka Sharma, had access to his phone at the time.
In response to the growing chatter, Kohli issued a clarification via his Instagram story, stating, "I’d like to clarify that while clearing my feed, it appears the algorithm may have mistakenly registered an interaction. There was absolutely no intent behind it. I request that no unnecessary assumptions be made. Thank you for your understanding." This explanation, however, did little to quell the online frenzy.
Jumping into the fray, Rahul Vaidya shared a video on his Instagram stories, humorously referencing Kohli's explanation. "Main kehna chahta hoon ki aaj ke baad aisa ho sakta hai ki algorithm bohot saare photos like karde jo maine nahi kare (I just want to say that from now on, it might happen that the algorithm ends up liking a lot of photos that I didn’t actually like). So, jo bhi ladki ho, please don’t do PR around it because it is not my mistake. It is Instagram’s mistake, okay?" Vaidya's playful tone resonated with many, further amplifying the conversation.
However, the situation took a more personal turn when Vaidya revealed that Kohli had blocked him on Instagram. In another video, he quipped, "So, guys, Virat Kohli has blocked me, all you all know. So I think voh bhi Instagram ki glitch hogi, voh Virat Kohli ne block nahi kiya hoga. Instagram ke algorithm ne bola hoga Virat Kohli ko, ‘Ek kaam kar, main tere behalf pe Rahul Vaidya ko block kar deti hoon.’ Haina? (That must have been an Instagram glitch too, Virat Kohli probably didn’t block me. Maybe Instagram’s algorithm told Virat, ‘Tell you what, I’ll block Rahul Vaidya on your behalf.’ Right?)"
Vaidya's comments did not go unnoticed, as they sparked a backlash from Kohli's fans, who took to social media to defend their idol. In a subsequent post, Vaidya addressed the negative responses he received from Kohli's followers, stating, "Virat Kohli’s fans are even bigger jokers than Virat!" This remark further ignited the debate, with fans divided over Vaidya's humor and Kohli's actions.
Despite the controversy, Kohli remained relatively quiet on the matter after his initial clarification. He was notably absent from his team's recent victory celebrations in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), which led to further speculation regarding his state of mind amid the ongoing social media scrutiny.
Interestingly, the fallout from Kohli's accidental like has had some unexpected consequences for Avneet Kaur. Following the incident, her Instagram following surged, and she reportedly secured several new endorsements, showcasing the often-unpredictable nature of social media fame.
As the drama unfolded, many fans were left wondering whether Kohli's clarification was necessary at all. Some argued that liking a post should not warrant such scrutiny, particularly given Kaur's popularity as a young actress. Others, however, felt that Kohli's status as a public figure required him to address any potential misunderstandings with his fans.
Rahul Vaidya, who gained fame as a contestant on the first season of Indian Idol and later on Bigg Boss 14, has always been known for his candid and humorous takes on celebrity culture. His recent comments about Kohli illustrate the fine line between humor and controversy in the age of social media, where every action can lead to significant public reaction.
In the end, the incident serves as a reminder of the power of social media and the challenges that come with being a public figure. As Kohli navigates the waters of online scrutiny, it remains to be seen how he will manage his public image moving forward. For now, the internet continues to buzz with memes and jokes surrounding the incident, ensuring that it will not be forgotten anytime soon.
With the IPL season in full swing, fans are eager to see how Kohli's performance on the field will be affected by the off-field drama. Will he bounce back stronger, or will the distractions linger? Only time will tell.
