Listen to the article
India’s Cricket Star Kohli Falsely Depicted Signing Pakistani Flag in AI-Generated Image
A digitally manipulated image purportedly showing Indian cricket star Virat Kohli signing a Pakistani flag has been exposed as fake by fact-checking organization Vishvas News. The image, which went viral on social media just days before the start of the ODI series between India and Australia, was created using artificial intelligence tools.
The fabricated photo was shared on Facebook by a user named Manoj Kumar on October 16, 2025, with the caption “Virat Kohli autographs Pakistan flag #indiavaustrelia #fblifestyle #TeamIndia.” The post quickly gained traction among cricket fans, accumulating thousands of shares and reactions.
Vishvas News conducted a comprehensive investigation to verify the authenticity of the image. Using reverse image search technology, the fact-checkers located the original footage that had been manipulated. The authentic video and photos, published by several credible news outlets including cricketcountry.com and Dainik Jagran, show Kohli signing a Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) jersey for a fan in Perth, Australia, where he had arrived for the upcoming ODI series.
Further confirmation came from verified sports news outlet RevSportz Global, which had shared video footage of the actual autograph session on October 16. The video clearly depicts Kohli signing an RCB jersey, not a Pakistani flag as falsely claimed.
The investigation took additional steps to scientifically verify the manipulation. Two separate AI detection tools were used to analyze the viral image. The Hive moderation tool indicated a 99.7 percent probability that the image was AI-generated, while Sight Engine similarly assessed a 99 percent likelihood of artificial creation.
Dainik Jagran’s Sports Editor, Abhishek Tripathi, also confirmed to investigators that the viral image was indeed fake.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of AI-generated misinformation in sports media. As artificial intelligence tools become more sophisticated and accessible, fabricated images involving high-profile athletes like Kohli can spread rapidly across social platforms, potentially inflaming tensions, especially in matches involving teams with historical rivalries like India and Pakistan.
The timing of this fake image is particularly notable, coming just days before India’s ODI series against Australia, scheduled to begin on October 19. Kohli, who remains one of cricket’s most popular and influential players, has a massive following both in India and internationally. His social media presence and celebrity status make him a frequent target for both genuine news coverage and misinformation.
The user who shared the manipulated image has a substantial social media presence, with over 554,000 followers, demonstrating how accounts with large followings can quickly amplify false information to wide audiences.
Vishvas News classified the claim as “False” in its formal fact-check review, emphasizing that the original image showed Kohli signing an RCB jersey, and the Pakistani flag was digitally inserted using AI technology.
This case serves as a reminder for sports fans and social media users to exercise caution when encountering sensational images, particularly those involving high-profile athletes in politically sensitive contexts. As digital manipulation technology continues to advance, critical media literacy becomes increasingly important in distinguishing authentic sports moments from fabricated ones.
Verify This Yourself
Use these professional tools to fact-check and investigate claims independently
Reverse Image Search
Check if this image has been used elsewhere or in different contexts
Ask Our AI About This Claim
Get instant answers with web-powered AI analysis
Related Fact-Checks
See what other fact-checkers have said about similar claims
Want More Verification Tools?
Access our full suite of professional disinformation monitoring and investigation tools
11 Comments
Kohli is a hugely influential figure, so it’s crucial that any content related to him is verified for authenticity. Glad the fact-checkers were able to trace the origins and determine this image was digitally manipulated.
Interesting how easy it is for images to be manipulated these days. Good to see fact-checkers on the case to verify authenticity. Cricket fans should be wary of viral social media posts, even if they seem plausible at first glance.
Absolutely, it’s a good reminder to always double-check the source and context of any viral images or videos before sharing or believing them.
Impressive work by the fact-checking organization in exposing this as a fake image. With the rise of AI-powered manipulation tools, vigilance is needed to maintain the integrity of online content, especially around high-profile public figures.
Absolutely, this case highlights the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking in an era of increasing digital misinformation.
It’s worrying how easily misinformation can spread on social media these days. Fact-checking is essential to counter the proliferation of fake images and videos. Kudos to the team that exposed this as a fabrication.
Agreed, we need more robust systems to quickly identify and debunk such content before it gains too much traction online.
AI-generated manipulated images can be quite convincing. This is a good example of why we need strong fact-checking processes to identify and debunk fake content online. Glad to see this was promptly addressed.
It’s alarming how convincing AI-generated fake images can be these days. Kudos to the fact-checkers for their diligence in tracking down the original footage and debunking this viral hoax. Maintaining media literacy is crucial in the modern digital landscape.
Glad the original footage was found to expose this as a fake image. Kohli is a high-profile figure, so it’s important to quickly address any misleading content about him, especially when it involves sensitive political issues like national flags.
Yes, maintaining accuracy is crucial, especially for public figures. Kudos to the fact-checkers for their diligence in tracing the origins and verifying the truth.