Virat Kohli’s Social Media Debacle: Did the Indian Cricket Superstar Deactivate His Instagram Account?

With over 274 million followers, Virat Kohli is Instagram’s third most-followed athlete, trailing only football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Virat Kohli’s Social Media Debacle: Did the Indian Cricket Superstar Deactivate His Instagram Account?

Virat Kohli's Instagram account had disappeared for a while. (via Times of India)

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Indian cricketing star Virat Kohli’s popularity remains unmatched, and his recent disappearance from social media has caused panic among fans. Kohli’s Instagram account had mysteriously deactivated overnight on January 30, raising curiosity about what had happened. 

Most recently recognized as the most influential Indian on Instagram, Virat Kohli has been a pivotal figure in cricketing history. With an estimated net worth well over INR 1,000 crores ($110-120 million), Kohli also has a social media following of over 274 million. Highlighting his digital reach, he holds the record for the most-liked Instagram post by an Indian, featuring his celebration of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.

Kohli’s immense popularity on social media platforms like Instagram and X has also translated into substantial earnings for the veteran Indian cricketer. He is also among the top 20 global earners from Instagram posts, given he reportedly charges between INR 11 crores and 14 crores ($1.3-1.7 million) for each sponsored post. This massive visibility means any period of absence from social media is instantly noticed by his fans, as seen earlier today.

Last night, fans were left puzzled when the former Indian captain’s verified Instagram account suddenly disappeared from the platform. Kohli’s Instagram account stopped appearing in searches, with users being greeted by the message ‘Profile isn’t available’. As the issue became trending across social media platforms, it ultimately led to fans speculating that Kohli might have deactivated his account to take a temporary break from social media. 

While fans awaited an official explanation, Kohli’s account was restored soon after. This incident has raised questions about the nature of his absence from social media; whether it was an intentional move by the player or the result of a technical glitch.

Adding to the mystery, Kohli’s brother, Vikas Kohli’s, Instagram account had also disappeared, prompting fans to humorously flood the cricketer’s wife, Anushka Sharma, with questions about the situation.

In case of a technical glitch, it could be similar to the one that occurred in April 2025. That prior incident last year had caused a stir when Virat Kohli was found to have accidentally ‘liked’ a photo shared by social media personality Avneet Kaur.

A New Era! Will India miss Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s magic in the 2026 T20 World Cup?

The 2026 T20 World Cup ushers in a new era for the Indian T20I team, without the iconic pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They were part of the 15-member squad that lifted the T20 WC title in 2024, defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win. (via NDTV Sports)

Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma were important contributors during India’s victorious 2024 T20 WC campaign, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC title. Sharma finished as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament, scoring an impressive 257 runs in eight matches at an average of 36.71 and a strike-rate of 156.70. His 92 off 41 balls in the Super Eights against Australia ensured a semi-final spot for the team. 

Kohli, on the other hand, had a quiet tournament but delivered when it mattered the most. In the final, he anchored India’s innings by scoring 76 runs off 59 balls, after the team slumped to 34/3 at the end of the first few overs. He earned the POTM award, as it helped the Men in Blue to secure a narrow seven-run victory in the end. The 37-year-old also holds the record for the most runs scored in T20 WC history.

The Indian T20I team will definitely be missing the services of the two veteran Indian icons at the 2026 T20 World Cup, as they have retired from two of the three international formats. Suryakumar Yadav however, has a blend of young and experienced players at his disposal.

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