Social media platforms are in overdrive after Indian cricket star Virat Kohli addressed rumors surrounding an Instagram post he allegedly liked — a picture of actress Avneet Kaur from a fan page. What might have been a minor slip of the thumb turned into a full-fledged internet frenzy, especially after Kohli’s rather technical-sounding explanation. His phrase — “the algorithm may have mistakenly registered an interaction” — has now become the internet’s latest meme fodder.
What Happened?
It all began when eagle-eyed Instagram users noticed that Kohli had apparently liked a glamorous image posted on a fan page dedicated to Avneet Kaur. Screenshots quickly began circulating, and soon users began tagging Kohli’s wife, actress Anushka Sharma, in the comments. The incident snowballed, with fans questioning whether the like was accidental or deliberate — and some even tagging Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, blaming Instagram’s system.
To put the rumors to rest, Kohli issued a public clarification via his Instagram Stories:
“I’d like to clarify that while clearing my feed, it appears the algorithm may have mistakenly registered an interaction. There was absolutely no intent behind it. I request that no unnecessary assumptions be made. Thank you for your understanding.”
He didn’t name Avneet Kaur or refer directly to the post in question, but the message was loud and clear: it was unintentional, and tech was to blame. The post he allegedly liked has since been “unliked.”
The Internet Reacts: Meme Mayhem Ensues
Kohli’s high-tech explanation didn’t go unnoticed. Instead, it sparked a wave of hilarity across social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The now-iconic phrase “registered an interaction” has become a buzzword for accidental likes, guilty clicks, and anything suspicious that one might want to blame on technology.
Here are some of the funniest user reactions:
- Savage Fan Said:
“Kids: My account got hacked.
Men: My PR agent accidentally liked a post.
Legends: The algorithm mistakenly registered an interaction.” - Another user sarcastically posted:
“Normal people: Galti se picture like hogayi.
Kohli’s Insta admin: While clearing the feed, the algorithm mistakenly registered an interaction.
This is why corporate lingo is important.” - A skeptical software engineer chimed in:
“As a software engineer for 4 years, this is a completely senseless post! An app like Instagram would never register an interaction mistakenly. Yeah, I mean, that’s Instagram, not someone’s computer science final project, lol.” - One meme paired Kohli’s quote with a photo of him making a defensive face, captioned:
“Virat Kohli explaining how the algorithm mistakenly registered an interaction.”
More Than Just a Meme
The incident has turned into more than a celebrity slip-up. It has sparked wider conversations online about digital footprints, PR-managed profiles, and how celebrities (or their teams) interact with social media. Some users pointed out that this is yet another example of stars navigating a minefield of constant scrutiny, while others joked about using the “algorithm defense” in their own relationships.
Many have also debated the plausibility of Kohli’s explanation. Is it possible that a social media algorithm could “accidentally” like something while a user scrolls or clears content? Or is it just a clever way to dodge awkward questions?
Whether accidental or not, one thing is certain: “the algorithm registered an interaction” will be etched in internet culture for a long time.
The viral phrase has also inspired parody videos, mock press releases, and even fake legal disclaimers humorously blaming “rogue algorithms” for awkward social media activity. Some brands jumped on the trend, using the line to promote their tech services or poke fun at celebrity culture. Digital marketing experts have noted how such moments show the thin line between PR damage control and meme virality in today’s attention economy. Meanwhile, fan pages of both Kohli and Avneet Kaur have seen a spike in engagement, with some users ironically commenting “interaction registered” under every post. Despite the noise, both celebrities have remained silent since Kohli’s clarification, allowing the memes to do all the talking.
