Rishabh Pant likes several Mia Zelu posts. And she isn't even real!

Fans discussing the issue online involving Indian vice-captain goes viral

Last updated:
Jai Rai, Assistant Editor
2 MIN READ
Rishabh Pant likes several Mia Zelu posts. And she isn't even real!

Dubai: Rishabh Pant, India’s 27-year-old vice-captain, is making headlines—but this time, it’s not for his on-field performance. Social media was abuzz after fans noticed Pant had apparently liked multiple Instagram posts by virtual influencer Mia Zelu.

Screenshots of his Instagram activity quickly went viral, sparking widespread curiosity.

Who is Mia Zelu?

Mia Zelu is an AI-generated virtual model known for her bold, glamorous content. She currently has over 145,000 followers on Instagram. Her follower list is private, so it’s unclear whether Pant officially follows her account.

This isn’t the first time an Indian cricketer has drawn attention for Instagram interactions. Recently, Virat Kohli was in the spotlight after he accidentally liked a post by influencer Avneet Kaur. The incident snowballed into controversy, prompting Kohli to issue a clarification—which unfortunately triggered further online trolling and rumors of a rift with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma.

In Pant’s case, while some users criticised him, many fans came to his defence, arguing that liking posts on social media is hardly controversial and that cricketers deserve personal space and digital freedom without being constantly judged.

As one of the most followed Indian cricketers, Pant is used to his every move — on the field or on Instagram — being dissected in the public eye.

On the cricket front, Pant recently scored twin centuries in the first Test against England but couldn’t replicate the performance in the second match, managing only 25 runs off 42 balls.

Jai Rai
Jai RaiAssistant Editor
Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.
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