Former India captain Virat Kohli has become the latest target of a deepfake video circulating on social media. The AI-generated clip portrays Kohli allegedly criticizing his India teammate and Gujarat Titans captain, Shubman Gill. In the video, Kohli appears to discuss Gill’s shortcomings and suggest that he has "a long way to go" before becoming a cricket legend.

This edited video quickly went viral, sparking concerns about the misuse of AI and the dangerous potential for spreading misinformation. In the clip, a fake Kohli is heard saying, "I've been watching Gill closely, he's talented, no doubt, but there's a huge gap between showing promise and becoming a legend." He further comments on Gill’s technique, stating, "Gill's technique is solid, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. People talk about the next Virat Kohli, but let me be clear: there's only one Virat Kohli."

Concerns over AI misuse as viral video gains attention

The viral nature of the deepfake video highlights growing concerns about the misuse of AI technology, particularly in how it can distort reality and spread misinformation. This incident serves as a reminder of the dangerous implications of deepfake technology when used maliciously.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill is preparing for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024, where he has been named captain of India 'A'. This tournament will serve as a warm-up for the India vs. Bangladesh Test series later in September. Alongside Gill, other notable players include KL Rahul, who will also participate in the series.

AI is Dangerous pic.twitter.com/njUvwiwc4t

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) August 27, 2024

Kohli and Rohit set to return for Bangladesh series

Both Virat Kohli and India captain Rohit Sharma will not feature in the Duleep Trophy but are expected to be part of the Indian playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai starting on September 19. In the latest ICC Test rankings, Kohli moved up to the eighth spot, while Rohit dropped to sixth. Promising young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal also made an upward move, climbing to seventh place.

See Also: Shannon Gabriel announces retirement from international cricket

As the cricketing world prepares for upcoming international contests, the deepfake incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in the age of AI.