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Fact Check: Is Virat Kohli Smoking? Social Media Buzzes After Controversial Image

Sakshi Sharma

Virat Kohli, lookalike caughted smoking (Source:@NadaNetwork,x.com)Virat Kohli, lookalike caughted smoking (Source:@NadaNetwork,x.com)

Amidst a phase of personal silence, Virat Kohli has unexpectedly become the centre of an online controversy. A viral photo has flooded social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit. The picture claimed that the cricket legend was spotted smoking a cigarette. The image, blurry and low-resolution, sparked massive confusion, with fans and critics debating its authenticity.

Kohli has retired from Test cricket earlier this year and since then has not made any public appearances. Notably, he has issued no statements since the RCB victory parade stampede. 

 The Truth Behind The Viral Photo

Despite how widespread the image has become, the fact remains that the photo is not recent and not even of Virat Kohli. 

The viral picture actually dates back to 2023, when it first made rounds on the internet. Even then, many fans and media outlets questioned the identity of the individual due to the unclear image quality and resemblance to Kohli.

However, it was later confirmed that the man in the image is Pawan Kumar, a Kohli lookalike, who was photographed smoking hookah at One8 Commune, Kohli’s own restaurant in Bengaluru.

In March 2024, the same image had surfaced online, prompting speculation until it was publicly clarified that the man was not Virat Kohli. Unfortunately, with no official caption or context, the photo has now resurfaced in 2025, once again misleading fans.

FACT CHECK: The viral photo of a man smoking is not of Virat Kohli, and it is not from 2025. It is an old image involving a lookalike, and it has no connection to the cricketer’s current life or activities.

Virat Kohli’s Fitness-First Lifestyle

It’s no secret that Virat Kohli is one of the most disciplined and health-conscious cricketer in the recent world. Over the years, he has transformed himself into a symbol of peak physical fitness. His fitness have been a key factor behind his longevity, especially as a modern-day great.