Bengaluru: Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has once again found himself at the centre of a social media storm after a ‘like’ from his Instagram account on a South African model’s post triggered a wave of memes and speculation online.

The incident quickly went viral, with fans sharing screenshots and debating whether the interaction was intentional or another case of what many are calling an “algorithm glitch”.

Social media erupts over ‘like’ activity

The controversy began when users noticed that Kohli’s verified account had allegedly liked a post by a South African influencer. Within minutes, screenshots flooded platforms like X and Instagram, turning a minor activity into a trending topic.

Fans responded with humour, with many posting memes suggesting that even a simple ‘like’ is not safe from public scrutiny. Comments such as “Relax guys, it’s algorithm” and “Chain se like bhi nahi karne deta ye samaaj” reflected the light-hearted yet viral nature of the episode.

Repeat of previous ‘algorithm’ controversy

This is not the first time Kohli has been caught in a similar situation. In 2025, the former India captain had faced a comparable controversy after a ‘like’ on a post by Avneet Kaur went viral.

At the time, Kohli had issued a clarification, attributing the interaction to an Instagram algorithm issue rather than a deliberate action.

“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,” he had said, urging fans not to draw unnecessary conclusions.

Following the latest incident, many users expect a similar explanation, with the term “algorithm” once again trending in discussions around the cricketer.

Fans turn controversy into humour

Despite the speculation, the overall tone online has largely remained humorous rather than critical. Meme creators have seized the opportunity, turning the situation into a viral trend across platforms.

The episode highlights how even trivial social media actions by high-profile personalities like Kohli can quickly snowball into widespread discussions, driven by fan engagement and online culture.

Kohli continues strong form on the field

Amid the off-field buzz, Kohli’s performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2026 have remained impressive. In a recent match against Lucknow Super Giants, he played as an Impact Player for the first time in his career.

The veteran opener narrowly missed out on a half-century, falling just one run short of the milestone, but his contribution played a key role in RCB securing a comfortable victory.

Conclusion

While the latest ‘like’ controversy involving Virat Kohli has once again set social media abuzz, it also reflects the intense scrutiny faced by modern sports icons in the digital age. Whether it was an algorithm glitch or a simple tap, the incident has added another chapter to Kohli’s ongoing tryst with viral moments — much to the amusement of fans.