Virat Kohli's 'smoking' photo sparks outrage online: Fans claim it's a lollipop; defend the cricketer's privacy.

Time of India

12 hours ago

Just weeks after announcing his retirement from Test cricket and months after stepping away from T20 Internationals following India's victory at the T20 World Cup 2024, Virat Kohli is making headlines again — but not for his on-field heroics. This time, it's a viral Reddit post and an alleged photo of him smoking a cigarette that have stirred up a social media storm.
Virat Kohli's quiet phase after IPL 2025 victory
Kohli has kept a low profile ever since leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden IPL title in 2025 and the unfortunate Bengaluru stampede during the victory parade that left 11 dead. With his appearances in public drastically reduced, fans have been eagerly waiting for updates on his next move, especially now that he has confirmed he will only play ODIs for India going forward. But the recent viral image has brought him back into public focus, albeit controversially.
A Reddit post claims 'Kohli smokes' — photo adds fuel to the fire
The uproar began with a Reddit post titled "Virat Kohli smokes", which claimed the cricketer secretly smokes cigarettes despite publicly maintaining a clean and disciplined image. The post also accused Kohli of eating non-vegetarian food while publicly identifying as vegan, supposedly influenced by his wife Anushka Sharma's advocacy for animal welfare.
The entire PR curated image of Kohli , the " non-smoker" and "non- drinker" is a scam as expected. His fans had the audacity to troll MS Dhoni for smoking a hookah. What a fake person man .😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/pBDIk5aT7q — tweeting from my grave. (@kalhonahoooooo) June 28, 2025
While the original post has since been deleted, the discussion didn't die down. In the comments, a user uploaded an alleged photo of Virat Kohli smoking, which quickly spread across other social platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The image, though blurry and lacking verification, was enough to ignite a wave of speculation.
Adding to the shock value, the Reddit post also alleged that 'hundreds of IPL players' regularly smoke during the season, though no names were mentioned.
Fans divided over viral picture
While some users criticised Kohli over the viral image, many others jumped to his defence, pointing out that the photo is too blurry to confirm if it's actually him. Several fans argued that the man in the picture doesn't even resemble Kohli, while others suggested it could be his lookalike. Some also claimed the object in his hand wasn't a cigarette but a lollipop, adding to the confusion.
Can't even eat let the man enjoy a lollipop in peace and they want his test return. We are never seeing him again 😅 https://t.co/xCRV5yvOCg — Arnav (@arnav714) June 28, 2025
He doesn't look like Virat kohli
Very big difference https://t.co/aQWMtMd8Hy — Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange (@KumarTimes8) June 28, 2025
This picture is from 2023 though https://t.co/ocMoxuTE46 — Ahama Premaa (@AhamaPremaa) June 28, 2025
In addition to the debate over the image itself, several users voiced concern about Kohli's privacy being compromised, especially during his time away from the public eye. One fan wrote, "He's earned the right to live life on his own terms — whether in private or public. A legend who has won almost every trophy in cricket and now stands at the twilight of his incredible career. Everyone deserves a bit of privacy, especially someone who has given us so much."
He's earned the right to live life on his own terms — whether in private or public. A legend who has won almost every trophy in cricket and now stands at the twilight of his incredible career. Everyone deserves a bit of privacy, especially someone who has given us so much. — đexv (@itruelydev) June 28, 2025
Virat Kohli has previously gone on record stating that he does not smoke and has always prioritised his health and discipline both on and off the field. Widely regarded as one of the fittest athletes in the world, Kohli is known for his strict fitness regime, clean eating habits, and teetotal lifestyle. Over the years, he has inspired countless fans and fellow players with his transformation and commitment to peak physical conditioning, making the claims in the viral photo even more doubtful for many who follow his journey closely.
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