In an unusual social media mix-up, Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi found himself at the receiving end of hate messages from Virat Kohli’s fans after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter was dismissed in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Gujarat Titans (GT). The confusion stemmed from the similarity in names, as Gujarat Titans’ fast bowler Arshad Khan was responsible for dismissing Kohli.
The Controversial Dismissal
Kohli, one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world, failed to make an impact in RCB’s first home game of the season, getting dismissed for just seven runs off six balls. His brief innings included only a single boundary before Arshad Khan delivered a short-pitched ball that cramped Kohli on the pull shot, leading him to be caught at deep backward square leg.
Following Kohli’s dismissal, his ardent fans, in a fit of misdirected rage, flooded Arshad Warsi’s Instagram account with hate messages. The Bollywood actor, known for his roles in films like Munna Bhai MBBS and Golmaal, had nothing to do with the match, yet his social media posts became a battleground for frustrated Kohli supporters.
A Social Media Storm
The misunderstanding led to a wave of trolling on a five-day-old Instagram post by Warsi that featured Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn. Furious Kohli fans left aggressive comments such as, “Kohli ko out kyu kia (why did you dismiss Kohli)?” accompanied by angry emojis. Some even went to the extent of issuing threats, with one user commenting, “Dekh lunga terko (I will see you).”
Adding to the humor in the situation, some fans referenced Warsi’s iconic character Circuit from Munna Bhai MBBS, posting comments like, “Ee Circuit, tu Kohli ka wicket kyun liya re?” The bizarre nature of this incident highlights how quickly misinformation spreads in the age of social media.
Not the First Mix-Up
This isn’t the first time Virat Kohli’s fans have mistaken identities. In a similar incident during the Champions Trophy, multinational electronics giant Philips became the target of fan outrage after New Zealand cricketer Glenn Phillips took a sensational catch in a group-stage match. Furious Kohli supporters assumed some connection between the cricketer and the brand, leading to unnecessary trolling.
RCB’s Disappointing Defeat
Meanwhile, the match itself turned out to be a forgettable one for RCB. The Gujarat Titans secured a comprehensive eight-wicket victory, handing RCB their first loss of the season. Mohammed Siraj’s three-wicket haul put RCB in trouble, and despite Liam Livingstone’s fighting 54-run innings, the team could only post a modest total.
Chasing 170 for victory, Gujarat Titans cruised home with 13 balls to spare. Jos Buttler starred with an unbeaten 73 off 39 balls, displaying some spectacular shots. Sai Sudharsan supported him well with a solid 49, while impact player Sherfane Rutherford contributed an unbeaten 30, ensuring a dominant victory for GT.
The Aftermath
The incident with Arshad Warsi once again brought attention to the unpredictable and sometimes bizarre nature of social media outrage. While die-hard sports fans are known for their passion, this episode serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying facts before reacting online.
Arshad Warsi has yet to respond to the unexpected online attacks, but given his witty and humorous personality, fans might just get a lighthearted reaction from him in the coming days. For now, this episode remains another example of how the world of sports and entertainment can sometimes hilariously collide.