Team India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting stalwart Virat Kohli has reportedly suffered an enormous drop in his followers count following the latest Instagram update. The sudden dip is down to Meta, the parent company of Instagram, launching an update named ‘The Great Purge of 2026’. As a result, the 37-year-old has lost 2 million followers on the recognized social media platform and the count reportedly is now reduced to 274 million from 276.
What is the update that has reduced Virat Kohli’s followers count on Instagram?
For the unversed, the update named ‘The Great Purge of 2026’ is the concept of performing a massive cleanup drive that is aimed at eliminating as much bot accounts as possible apart from inactive profiles and fake engagement mechanisms. The former Indian captain happens to be world’s most followed cricketer on the platform and the most followed celebrity in India. Kohli’s popularity not only comes down to his exploits on the field but also his presence and conduct off the field. The Delhi-born cricketer is a custodian of several cricketing records, including the most ODI hundreds, fastest to 14000 ODI runs and quickest to 4000 T20I runs. Additionally, the former Indian captain is also the second-highest run-getter across formats with 28215 and is the second-highest run-getter in 50-over internationals, compiling 14797 runs.
He is also the highest run-getter in IPL history and is the only batter to amass 9000 runs in the tournament. Kohli’s net worth is reportedly around ₹1,050 crore, making him among the richest athletes globally. Nevertheless, the latest update on Instagram has also affected the followers count of athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar, with celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner and Justin Bieber also included.
IPL 2026: How has Virat Kohli performed in IPL 2026 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Despite having a couple of failures, Kohli is still the leading run-getter for RCB in IPL 2026, amassing 379 runs in 9 games at 54.14 alongside a strike rate of 165.50, compiling three half-centuries. The former RCB skipper accomplished his dream of winning the IPL trophy last year and broke down in tears after they beat the Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
RCB, who are currently No.2, will next face the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium on Thursday.
