Virat Kohli Smoking Controversy: Blurry Photo Sparks Viral Debate Online

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli is making headlines again, but not for his performance on the field. This time, a blurry photo and a now-deleted Reddit post have sparked a storm on social media, putting him at the center of a smoking controversy.

After finally helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win their first-ever IPL title earlier this month, Virat Kohli took a break and travelled to London with his family, a city that feels like his second home. Since then, he’s been keeping a low profile and hasn’t been seen in public much. These days, Kohli only plays One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India, having retired from both Test and T20 cricket.

However, the former Indian captain had still been in the headlines, thanks to his contribution to Test cricket, as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy got underway in England. Fans and cricket experts were missing the presence of the ever-dominant Virat in the ongoing five-match Test series.

Virat Kohli is making headlines again, this time because of a viral Reddit post. The post, titled "Virat Kohli smokes," claimed that the star cricketer secretly smokes cigarettes. This has surprised many fans, as it doesn’t match the disciplined and health-focused image he’s known for in public.

Viral Photo Sparks Debate: Is Virat Kohli Smoking?

The Reddit post went further, claiming that Virat Kohli eats non-vegetarian food, even though he’s known for following a vegan diet. Kohli had switched to vegetarianism a few years ago, reportedly influenced by his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, who is vocal about animal rights and supports a cruelty-free lifestyle.

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

However, the original Reddit thread has been deleted, but it has already taken social media by storm. A user dropped a photo allegedly showing Kohli smoking. Despite its blurry quality and lack of confirmation, the image instantly went viral across social media platforms, triggering a storm of opinions, reactions, and debates.

Adding more fuel to the drama, the original post made a bold claim that “hundreds of IPL players” smoke during the season. It didn’t mention any names, but it has only deepened the growing controversy and left fans even more suspicious.

A blurry viral photo claiming to show Kohli smoking has divided fans on social media. While some criticized the batting icon, many defended the star, arguing the image is unclear and could be a lookalike. Some even said the object in his hand might be a lollipop, not a cigarette, while some called for privacy as he “earned the right to live life on his own terms.”

Virat Kohli Invests ₹40 Crore in Former Puma India Head’s Sports Venture, Agilitas

Just a month after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Kohli is already making big moves off the field. Kohli, who ended his Test career with 9230 runs in 123 matches, including 30 centuries, has now invested ₹40 crore in Agilitas, a growing sports goods company.

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