THE END OF AN ERA
Virat Kohli's highest Test score of 254 against South Africa in the second Test of the 2019 series in Pune, where he batted for nearly eight hours, propelled India to a commanding innings and 137-run victory. Credit : ICC
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This superhero series follows Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer by day and a vigilante crime-fighter by night, as he fights against corruption in New York City. Despite its fan base and popularity, it was cancelled after three seasons on Netflix. Credit : PINTEREST
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Elephants dig waterways during the dry season, providing baboons with watering holes. In return, baboons act as lookouts, producing loud warnings of approaching predators. Credit : PINTEREST
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Dolphins are remarkably intelligent, and their complex social interactions allow them to communicate using clicks, whistles, and body language; each dolphin has a distinct whistle similar to a name. Credit : PEXELS
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In Meghalaya's forests, living root bridges emerge from trained tree roots, connecting villages and showcasing indigenous knowledge, harmony with nature, and sustainable engineering. Credit : PEXELS
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Koh Ker, once the Khmer Empire's capital, features the pyramid-shaped Prasat Thom temple, surrounded by forest, evoking Cambodia's majestic history. Credit : UNSPLASH
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Vitamin C isn't just for immunity it supports glowing skin, faster healing, and fights oxidative stress. Discover superfoods that naturally pack the highest Vitamin C punch! Credit : PEXELS
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Known as the 'Dynamite Tree,' this tropical plant can blast its seeds at speeds of 150 mph! Its woody fruits burst with a loud bang, sending seeds flying. Credit : PINTEREST
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India.com
31 minutes ago
- India.com
Fact Check: Virat Kohli Caught Smoking? Viral Image Sparks Debate on Social Media - Here's The Truth Behind The Picture
Amidst a quiet phase following his retirement from Test cricket and India's T20 World Cup 2024 win, Virat Kohli has unexpectedly found himself trending again — this time for all the wrong reasons. A photo has gone viral on social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), claiming that the legendary Indian cricketer was seen smoking a cigarette. The image quickly spread across the internet, triggering debate and confusion among fans. With Kohli not making any public appearances since Royal Challengers Bengaluru's historic IPL 2025 triumph, the viral photo added fuel to fan speculation. Do u think he is really smoking ? @grok Hiding in X (@DHarsHaDr) June 29, 2025 blud started smoking, looks like he wasn't able to cope with the loses of 11 lives lost in chinnaswamy stampede ex. capt (@thephukdi) June 28, 2025 Is this Virat Kohli? Is he smoking??? — Sai (@TheDiaryofSai) June 28, 2025 Fact Check Is It Virat Or Not? Contrary to online claims, the man in the image is not Virat Kohli. The viral picture is not even new. It originally surfaced in 2023 and again in March 2024, causing similar confusion back then. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the individual in the image is Pawan Kumar, a known lookalike of Virat Kohli. The photo was taken at the One8 Commune restaurant in Bengaluru, which is owned by Kohli himself. Pawan Kumar was seen smoking hookah, leading to the mistaken identity. This is not the first time Kumar's resemblance to Kohli has misled fans, but the confusion was cleared by fact-checkers and fan pages shortly after the image first went viral over a year ago. Virat Kohli: A Disciplined Athelete Virat Kohli is well-known for his disciplined lifestyle. He has consistently maintained a strict fitness regime and publicly spoken against smoking and drinking. Kohli transformed his physique over the years and credited his clean lifestyle for helping him extend his playing career at the highest level. His commitment to fitness and wellness has also inspired many young athletes to follow suit. In interviews, he has emphasized how dietary discipline and workout consistency were pivotal in his success. Post-IPL Silence and Fan Curiosity After leading RCB to their first-ever IPL title in 2025, Kohli has kept a low profile. His silence became even more prominent after the tragic Bengaluru victory parade stampede, which claimed 11 lives. Since then, Kohli hasn't made any public statements or appearances. This low visibility, coupled with his Test and T20I retirements, has left fans eagerly awaiting his next move particularly in the ODI format, which is now his sole focus in international cricket.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
From Virat Kohli rumours to Chris Gayle: 9 famous sports personalities who smoke or have been caught smoking
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. 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. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Virat Kohli's 'smoking' photo sparks outrage online: Fans claim it's a lollipop; defend the cricketer's privacy.
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 .😭😭😭 — 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 😅 — Arnav (@arnav714) June 28, 2025 He doesn't look like Virat kohli Very big difference — Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange (@KumarTimes8) June 28, 2025 This picture is from 2023 though — 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. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
