Virat Kohli's Social Media Interaction Creates Unexpected Buzz During IPL 2026
NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli, the cricketing icon typically celebrated for his monumental batting performances and match-winning abilities, has found himself at the center of attention for an entirely different reason this time. The star batter, currently participating in IPL 2026, allegedly 'liked' a photograph posted by German model and social media influencer LizLaz, triggering a massive online discussion.
Social Media Explosion Over Minor Interaction
Within minutes of the supposed interaction, screenshots began circulating across various social media platforms, transforming what appeared to be a simple gesture into a viral talking point. The incident gained additional intrigue because Kohli does not follow LizLaz on the platform, raising questions about how the interaction occurred and what it might signify.
LizLaz, who unexpectedly found herself trending online, later shared her perspective on the situation with Hindustan Times. "It was absolutely crazy because I woke up and discovered I was all over the news," she revealed. The model explained her initial confusion about the entire episode, stating, "I don't even know when he liked the picture. I actually learned about it through news reports. Numerous people discovered articles about me on various platforms and sent them to me through direct messages. I received so many messages today, and people were genuinely excited about the whole thing."
Model Expresses Sympathy for Kohli's Situation
When questioned about reports that Kohli had subsequently 'unliked' the post, LizLaz responded with unexpected empathy. "I actually felt a bit sorry for him," she admitted. "I was genuinely happy that he liked the picture, but when he unliked it, I felt somewhat bad for him because I don't understand how this became such a major story. How did people even notice? How did they turn it into news? That was probably not his intention at all, but I'm still grateful for it and appreciate the support from him."
From Cricket Novice to RCB Fan
In a surprising revelation, LizLaz shared that she has become a genuine fan of Virat Kohli and cricket through her travels across India. "I began traveling extensively throughout South India, visiting Goa, Mysore, Coorg, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and later northern regions," she explained. "During this trip, I was introduced to cricket as a sport. I had never watched it before or had any exposure to it. Although I was born in South Africa, I was raised in Germany where football dominates as the national sport."
She continued, "It was during last year's IPL season that I started watching matches with my friends from Bangalore. The excitement was absolutely contagious. I gradually became a Royal Challengers Bangalore supporter. Naturally, if you support RCB, Virat Kohli becomes the most exciting player to watch. He's simply exceptional at what he does. So I was genuinely happy about him liking my picture."
History of Similar Social Media Incidents
This is not the first instance where Kohli has generated social media buzz through such interactions. Previously, he had briefly liked a post by actress Avneet Kaur, which similarly sparked widespread discussion across digital platforms. Following that incident, Kohli issued a clarification 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."
The current episode highlights how even minor social media actions by high-profile celebrities can quickly escalate into major news stories, particularly during high-visibility events like the Indian Premier League. As the tournament continues, fans remain divided about whether this represents a genuine interaction or another algorithmic glitch, keeping the conversation alive across digital platforms.
