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The Indian cricket fraternity finds itself embroiled in yet another social media storm, just weeks after the viral Virat Kohli-Avneet Kaur Instagram controversy. This time, it is wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the spotlight, as fans and netizens dissect his recent Instagram activity involving a popular digital creator and AI influencer.
Rishabh Pant’s Instagram activity goes viral
The latest episode unfolded while the Indian team was engaged in the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Screenshots began circulating across fan pages, showing Pant repeatedly liking posts by Mia Zelu, a digital creator known for her glamorous and bold AI-generated content. With Zelu’s following at over 145,000, Pant’s engagement did not go unnoticed by the ever-watchful eyes of social media users.
The timing of Pant’s actions—coming so soon after the Kohli-Avneet Kaur incident—amplified the buzz. Many fans were quick to draw parallels, jokingly suggesting that at least Pant was “playing smart” by interacting with an AI influencer rather than a real celebrity. Others, however, trolled the cricketer for his repeated likes, questioning his judgment and poking fun at the idea of a top athlete engaging with virtual personalities online.
The controversy has yet to elicit an official response from Pant or his team, but the screenshots and memes continue to trend, with some users speculating whether Pant actually follows Zelu, as her followers list is private.
Also WATCH: Rishabh Pant vents frustration, slams helmet after losing his wicket in ENG vs IND Edgbaston Test
Virat Kohli and Avneet Kaur: The social media ‘like’ that started it all
The current scrutiny of Pant’s online behavior comes in the wake of the high-profile Virat Ko-Avneet Kaur Instagram controversy. In April, fans noticed that Kohli’s official account had briefly liked a post from actress Avneet Kaur, who shared a series of striking images in a green crop top and printed wrap skirt. The interaction was quickly undone, but not before it triggered a wave of memes, speculation, and online chatter.
Kohli was compelled to issue a public clarification via Instagram Stories, attributing the incident to an “algorithm glitch” and insisting there was “absolutely no intent behind it.” Despite his statement, social media users remained unconvinced, with many dismissing the explanation and fuelling the meme machine further. The incident not only put Kohli under intense public scrutiny but also resulted in a significant boost for Kaur’s social media presence, with her follower count and brand endorsements surging in the aftermath.
Singer Rahul Vaidya even joined the fray, mocking Kohli’s “algorithm” explanation and claiming he was blocked by the cricketer, adding another layer of drama to the saga.
Also READ: Here’s how Virat Kohli’s accidental like boosted Avneet Kaur’s brand value by 30%
