In a bizarre case of mistaken identity, popular Indian playback singer Sonu Nigam found himself at the receiving end of online backlash following cricketer Virat Kohli’s dismissal during a recent IPL 2025 match.
The confusion arose after fans mistakenly assumed the singer was involved in the game, confusing him with Vipraj Nigam — the actual bowler responsible for Kohli’s wicket.
The incident took place during Thursday’s match, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s star player Virat Kohli was dismissed for just 22 runs.
The key moment occurred in the seventh over when Kohli attempted an inside-out shot, failing to time it properly. The ball landed safely into the hands of Mitchell Starc at long-off after a fine sliding catch, much to the disappointment of RCB supporters.
Vipraj Nigam, a leg-spinner, was the bowler who delivered the fateful ball. However, due to the similarity in surnames, an amused yet unfortunate mix-up began online.
Many Kohli fans, likely in frustration, flooded Sonu Nigam’s Instagram with comments blaming him for Virat’s dismissal. One fan wrote, “Big fan sir, but Kohli ko out nahi karna chahiye tha,” while another added, “How dare you take Kohli’s wicket.”
This isn’t the first time fans have confused a public figure with a cricketer. Actor Arshad Warsi experienced a similar situation recently when Gujarat Titans’ bowler Arshad Khan dismissed Kohli. Following the match, Arshad Warsi’s social media accounts were similarly spammed with critical and confused comments.
On one of Warsi’s recent posts alongside Ajay Devgn, a fan questioned, “Kohli ko out kyun kiya?” highlighting the recurring trend of mistaken identity among passionate cricket supporters.
Sonu Nigam, best known for his soulful renditions in songs like Satrangi Re, Deewana, Tumse Milke Dil Ka, and Main Agar Kahoon, has not responded publicly to the online trolling. Fans of the singer were quick to call out the bizarre confusion, defending him and appealing to others for more rational behaviour.
The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly misinformation or emotional reactions can escalate in the digital age — especially in a cricket-loving nation where emotions run high during the IPL season.
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