Virat Kohli’s brother Vikas Kohli has once again sparked a news controversy ahead of the India versus New Zealand ODI series with a pointed response to critics who he claims use Virat Kohli’s name to make a living.

The social media storm erupted after Vikas posted a cryptic message on Instagram: “Seems like logon ki daal roti nahi chalti bina Virat ka naam liye hue (It seems like people cannot run their houses without taking Virat Kohli’s name).”

While Vikas did not name anyone specifically, his remark is widely seen as a rebuttal to those using Virat’s fame to stay relevant.

Earlier this week, Sanjay Vijay Manjrekar, an Indian commentator and former player, criticised Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, suggesting the batsman should have shown courage to find his form rather than running away.

Despite the online friction, Virat Kohli remains in peak form. Following stellar performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the series against South Africa, he is all set to leave a mark in Vadodara against New Zealand.

Notably, for the first time in three years, Virat has begun sharing training session updates on Instagram – a move highly appreciated by his fans and followers across the globe.