From Virat Kohli rumours to Chris Gayle: 9 famous sports personalities who smoke or have been caught smoking

Time of India

a day ago

Sports stars who smoke: While most people expect athletes to lead a perfectly healthy lifestyle, some sports personalities smoking may come as a surprise. Even in today's health-conscious world, some athletes smoke, including well-known cricketers who smoke. Whether it's cigarettes, cigars, or vaping, many top players have been caught in controversy for their smoking habits. From cricket legends to footballers and golfers, here's a list of famous sports personalities who smoke, breaking the typical athlete image.
Virat Kohli's smoking controversy
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli recently found himself at the centre of a social media storm. A Reddit post titled "Virat Kohli smokes" claimed the star secretly smoked cigarettes, despite being known for his clean, disciplined image. The post even accused him of eating non-vegetarian food, while publicly identifying as vegan—something believed to be influenced by his wife, Anushka Sharma.
Though the original post was later deleted, the controversy didn't fade. An alleged blurry image of Kohli smoking was shared across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, sparking widespread debate. The photo was not verified, but it added fuel to the fire.
The same post also alleged that hundreds of IPL players smoke during the season, though no specific names were revealed.
Hardik Pandya was spotted vaping
In 2018, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen in a viral video where he appeared to be either smoking or vaping. The video was taken during MS Dhoni's birthday celebration. While Dhoni and his wife, Sakshi, were preparing to cut the cake, Pandya could be seen in the background, exhaling thick smoke.
Though the clip was removed from the internet, screenshots are still circulating. It's unclear whether he was smoking a cigarette or vaping, but the incident left many fans disappointed, and some even called for the BCCI to take action.
Chris Gayle – The party lover
Known as the 'Universe Boss', Chris Gayle is famous not just for his explosive batting but also for his party lifestyle. He has often been spotted smoking a cigar and drinking during parties. However, Gayle's open and fun-loving personality has kept him out of serious trouble, and he remains one of the most entertaining cricketers who smokes.
Shane Warne – The chain smoker
Late Australian spinner Shane Warne was a legendary figure in cricket. But outside the field, he was known for being a constant smoker. Despite this, Warne had a highly successful career. He also gained media fame for his charm and humour. Sadly, his smoking habit was one of the many personal challenges he faced, including a high-profile separation from his wife.
Mario Balotelli – Controversy follows him
Italian striker Mario Balotelli has never stayed away from headlines. Apart from his unpredictable behaviour, he has often been caught smoking cigarettes in public. Despite this, Balotelli has had a successful football career, playing for big clubs like AC Milan and Manchester City. He is one of the most talked-about athletes who smokes.
Zinedine Zidane – The cigar lover
Ballon d'Or winner Zinedine Zidane has been pictured smoking a cigarette. We've no idea how many the former Real Madrid and Juventus legend smoked, but it certainly didn't get in the way of him becoming the best player in the world at one point. pic.twitter.com/vNHCsCFYsq
Former French footballer and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has occasionally been seen lighting cigars during celebrations. While it's not a regular habit, he still joins the list of sports personalities who smoke. Zidane, a World Cup winner and multiple-time Champions League-winning coach, has also raised four sons who are pursuing careers in football.
Charley Hull – Smokes to stay focused
British golfer Charley Hull has openly admitted to her smoking habit, saying it helps her focus better during tournaments. Hull, who has ADHD, worries that being unable to smoke during some events may affect her performance. Despite this, she continues to perform at the top level and is considered one of the best female athletes who smoke cigarettes.
Wojciech Szczęsny – Faced club warnings
Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, currently with Juventus, faced criticism during his time at Arsenal for smoking in the dressing room. He was reportedly fined and disciplined for it. Despite the controversy, Szczęsny has built a solid career and is now a trusted player in Serie A. He is among the few footballers openly linked with smoking.
Ashley Cole – Defensive star, controversial off-field
English footballer Ashley Cole was another name frequently spotted smoking during his playing career. Despite being a top-class defender for Chelsea and Arsenal, Cole's off-field habits—including his smoking—often made headlines. He had a well-publicised divorce from singer Cheryl Tweedy and is now a father of two. He remains one of the most recognisable sports personalities who smokes.
Even though health risks related to smoking are widely known, several sports personalities continue to light up. While some do it openly, others try to keep it a secret. Whether it's cricketers who smoke or athletes who smoke cigarettes, these stories show that even top performers have personal habits that go against public expectations.
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