A photo circulating on social media allegedly shows Indian cricketer Virat Kohli autographing a Pakistani flag for a fan, amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 and consequent military escalation. Kohli and the rest of the Indian cricket team are in Perth ahead of the upcoming series against Australia, which includes three ODIs and five T20Is, starting from Sunday (October 19).
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Evidence
A keyword search for “Virat Kohli Pakistani flag” yielded no credible media reports supporting the claim. A Google Lens reverse search on the viral image also led to no credible sources or official sports handles carrying it.
However, an X post by @CricCrazyJohns (October 16, 2025) carried a similar original photo, showing Kohli signing an RCB jersey for a fan in Perth.
A report by NDTV Sports corroborated this, noting that Kohli and Rohit Sharma interacted with a fan outside the Indian team’s hotel in Perth ahead of a series against Australia. It further stated:
“While Kohli signed an RCB and a Team India jersey, Rohit Sharma, who was already sitting on the bus, came out to fulfill the fan’s request.”
On closely comparing the viral and original photos, Newschecker found multiple inconsistencies suggesting AI manipulation:
- The Indian cricket team and Adidas logos on Kohli’s jersey appeared distorted.
- Kohli’s earbud was missing and appeared digitally blended.
- The tattoo on the fan’s arm looked altered in shape.
We then analysed the image using Sightengine, which indicated a 99% likelihood of it being AI-generated.
Additionally, the Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU) of the Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA), of which Newschecker is a member, ran the image through AI detection tools IsItAI and AI or Not, both confirming that the image was AI-generated. It is, therefore, likely that the viral image was either created using the original photo, or is an AI-edited version of the original image.
Further, RevSportz Global posted a video of the original incident on X, showing Kohli signing only the RCB and India jerseys. The video also featured an interview with the fan, clearly displaying both autographed jerseys and no Pakistani flag.
Journalist Rohit Juglan, who was tagged in the RevSportz post, confirmed to Newschecker that he recorded the video and that Virat Kohli signed only the RCB and Indian team jerseys; no Pakistani flag was involved. He also shared with us a video showing the signed RCB and Indian team jerseys.
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Verdict
The viral image claiming to show Virat Kohli signing a Pakistani flag is not real. Kohli actually signed only RCB and Team India jerseys during his interaction with a fan in Perth.
FAQs
Q1. Did Virat Kohli sign a Pakistani flag?
No. Verified visuals and eyewitness confirmation show Kohli signed only RCB and Team India jerseys, not a Pakistani flag.
Q2. How was the fake image created?
The viral photo appears to be AI-edited, with distorted logos and altered features like Kohli’s earbud and the fan’s tattoo.
Q3. What did journalists or witnesses say?
Journalist Rohit Juglan, present at the scene, confirmed to Newschecker that no Pakistani flag was involved.
Q4. How can readers verify viral sports photos?
Use tools like Google Lens or TinEye for reverse image search, and cross-check with reports from reliable media or official sports accounts.
Sources
X Post By @CricCrazyJohns, Dated October 16, 2025
Report By NDTV, Dated October 16, 2025
X Post By RevSportz Global, Dated October 16. 2025
Sightengine Website
DAU Analysis
Conversation With Journalist Rohit Juglan On October 17, 2025
