In a shocking turn of events for cricket fans worldwide, Virat Kohli's Instagram account suddenly disappeared on Thursday night. The profile of the former Indian captain, which boasts over 274 million followers, was showing. A "Page Not Found" error, leading to widespread panic and speculation among his massive fan base. While the account has since been restored, the brief disappearance triggered a massive wave of reactions across social media platforms.
The Mystery of the Missing Profile
The incident occurred late Thursday night when users trying to access Virat Kohli's official Instagram handle were met with a blank screen and an error message stating, "Sorry, this page isn't available. " For a personality who is the most followed Asian on the platform, such a disappearance is unprecedented. Fans immediately took to X (formerly Twitter) to share screenshots of the broken link, making 'Virat Kohli' one of the top trending topics within minutes.
Fans Storm Anushka Sharma's Instagram
With Virat's account inaccessible, fans turned their attention to his wife, Bollywood superstar Anushka Sharma, while her latest Instagram posts were flooded with comments from concerned and curious fans. Some asked earnestly about Virat's well-being, while others used humor to cope with the situation. Comments like "Bhabhi, where is Bhaiya's account? " and "Did Virat bhai block everyone, while " dominated her profile, showcasing the deep connection fans feel with the celebrity couple.
Technical Glitch or Intentional Move?
As of now, there has been no official statement from Virat Kohli, his management team, or Meta (Instagram's parent company). This leaves two possibilities: either the account was temporarily deactivated by Kohli himself for personal reasons, or it was a technical glitch on Instagram's end. High-profile accounts sometimes face automated security flags that can lead to temporary suspension. Interestingly, Kohli has recently been more selective with his social media presence, focusing more on family and his cricketing commitments.
Kohli's Social Media Earnings and Influence
Virat Kohli isn't just a cricketer; he's a global brand. With 274 million followers, he ranks among the highest-paid athletes on Instagram globally. According to various industry reports, Kohli charges between 12 to 14 crore INR for a single promotional post. His digital footprint is a massive part of his commercial empire, making any disruption to his account a significant event in the world of sports marketing and celebrity branding.
A Look at Virat Kohli's Legendary Career
On the field, Kohli continues to be a titan of the game. He recently smashed a brilliant century against New Zealand in Indore, scoring 124 runs off 108 balls. Despite his heroics, India lost that match, but it reaffirmed Kohli's status as a master of the ODI format. Having already retired from T20Is and Test matches, Kohli is now pacing himself for the upcoming. ODI series against England in July, which will be played at iconic venues like Lord's and Edgbaston.
The Statistical Giant
Kohli is currently the second-highest run-getter in the history of international cricket across all formats. With 28,215 runs in 559 matches, he's only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. His record of 85 international centuries (54 in ODIs and 30 in Tests) is a testament to his longevity and skill, while even as he nears the twilight of his career, his hunger for runs remains unmatched, making him the most reliable batsman in the 50-over format.
Understanding Account Deletion vs. Deactivation
For those confused by the incident, there is a technical difference between an account being deleted and being disabled. Deletion is permanent and wipes out all data, while deactivation is temporary and hides the profile from public view until the user logs back in, while given that Kohli's account is back online with all his posts and followers intact, it's clear that the account was either temporarily disabled or hit by a server-side error.
Why Does Instagram Disable High Profile Accounts?
Instagram may disable accounts for several reasons, including violations of community guidelines, suspicious login activity, or mass reporting. For celebrities, security is often the primary concern. If there is an attempted hack, Instagram's automated systems might lock the account to protect the user's data. Regardless of the cause, the brief absence of 'King Kohli' from the. Digital world was enough to send shockwaves through his global community of fans.