Did Vaibhav Suryavanshi Insult Virat Kohli? Harsha Bhogle Clarifies Viral Video in Controversy

A deepfake video involving Rajasthan Royals’ young cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi has sparked widespread discussion on social media after the 2026 Indian Premier League season ended. In the clip, Suryavanshi is falsely shown calling Virat Kohli “slow” and “selfish” after being asked by well-known cricket presenter Harsha Bhogle whether he wanted to become a “king” like Kohli. The video has since been confirmed as fake.

Following the spread of the clip, Harsha Bhogle posted a clarification on social media, saying he had not asked such a question and that Suryavanshi had not made the remarks shown in the video. Bhogle said the circulating clip is a fabricated deepfake that unfairly portrays the young player as rude and arrogant. He described the incident as cruel and mischievous, especially given that Suryavanshi is a child who has conducted himself respectfully in public interactions.

The episode has once again highlighted the growing challenge of deepfake content in the age of artificial intelligence, where manipulated videos can quickly spread online and create confusion, damage reputations, and mislead viewers. In this case, the false clip drew attention because it involved both a rising cricket talent and one of India’s most popular sports figures, making it especially viral across platforms.

Bhogle’s response aimed to correct the record and protect Suryavanshi from online backlash based on a completely invented exchange. The incident has also raised concerns about how easily edited or AI-generated media can be passed off as real, particularly when it features public personalities and emotionally charged statements. As the clip continues to circulate, the clarification serves as a reminder for social media users to verify content before believing or sharing it.