Why is Virat Kohli trolled for flying in Private Jet?
Published on: Aug 4, 2023 12:13 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 4, 2023 12:15 pm IST
Virat Kohli, the former Indian cricket captain and one of the richest active cricketers in the world, recently found himself at the center of social media attention and criticism after he posted pictures of himself traveling from West Indies to India in a private jet. As is customary with Kohli’s social media posts, this particular update garnered significant traction and quickly went viral on the internet.
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Does Virat Kohli own a private jet?
In his Instagram post, Kohli expressed gratitude to the global aircraft charter provider, Air Charter Service, and aviator Abu Patel for arranging the flight. However, this raised the question among inquisitive fans: Does Virat Kohli own a private jet?
Several media outlets in India have previously claimed that Kohli is indeed the owner of a private jet. They pointed to a picture shared by the cricket star on Instagram in January 2019, where he and his wife Anushka Sharma were seen standing next to a private jet. Reports suggested that the jet was Kohli’s ‘Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign,’ which reportedly costs around INR 125 crores.
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However, in a Puma advertisement shoot in December 2021, Kohli explicitly denied being the owner of any private jet. This apparent contradiction added to the curiosity surrounding his recent travel arrangements.
VIrat Kohli is associated with “Go Green” initiative
Another aspect that fueled the criticism was Kohli’s association with the “Go Green” initiative of his Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Since 2011, RCB has played one home match each season wearing green jerseys to raise awareness about a “greener and sustainable” planet.
Given Kohli’s advocacy for environmental causes and his emphasis on celebrating a pollution-free Diwali, some fans questioned the use of private jets, which are known for their significant carbon footprint. Reports suggest that a single private jet can emit two metric tons of carbon dioxide in just one hour, making them much more polluting than commercial planes per passenger.
With climate change and environmental issues making headlines regularly, critics argued that Kohli should set a better example as a role model and consider the impact of private jet travel on the environment.
On a lighter note?
Helium Balloon Voice#ad pic.twitter.com/144estOGM5— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 22, 2021
Furthermore, Kohli has previously taken a stand against littering and waste. In a video shared in 2018, Anushka Sharma was seen schooling a man for throwing garbage on the streets while driving. Kohli supported her actions and called for citizens to take responsibility for keeping the country clean.
Saw these people throwing garbage on the road & pulled them up rightfully. Travelling in a luxury car and brains gone for a toss. These people will keep our country clean? Yeah right! If you see something wrong happening like this, do the same & spread awareness. @AnushkaSharma pic.twitter.com/p8flrmcnba
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 16, 2018
While some fans praised Kohli’s stance on environmental issues and his efforts to raise awareness, others found the use of private jets conflicting with his public advocacy for a greener planet.
Virat Kohli’s recent travel in a private jet has sparked a debate about the environmental impact of such luxury travel, particularly in the context of his advocacy for environmental causes. As a public figure and an influential athlete, Kohli’s actions are closely scrutinized, and he faces both praise and criticism for his choices. The issue highlights the importance of considering the environmental consequences of personal actions, especially for those with a significant public following.