Deepfake Video of Virat Kohli Criticizing Shubman Gill Sparks Controversy

Why internet has labelled 'dangerous' this fake video of Virat Kohli and Shubham Gill going viral - Times of India

A doctored video of cricketer Virat Kohli is doing the rounds on the internet. The deep fake video shows Kohli blasting Shubham Gill, saying that there's a 'big gap between showing promise and becoming a legend'. It also shows him comparing himself with the God of Indian Cricket - Sachin Tendulkar. Shubham Gill, like Virat Kohli started his journey with the U-19 World Cup - the 2018 edition.Many cricket fans say that he is the next big thing in Indian cricket. The fake video that has allegedly been created by a fan using artificial intelligence (AI) has gone viral, sparking debate among cricket fans. In the AI-generated video, Kohli is seen saying "I have been watching Gill closely. He's talented, no doubt. But there is a big gap between showing promise and becoming a legend. Gill's technique is solid. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. People talk about the next Virat Kohli but let me be clear, there's only one Virat Kohli." "I've faced the toughest bowlers in the most intense situations and done is consistently for over a decade. You can't replicate that with just a few good innings. If I make a wrong decision, I sit outside and I clap all day. In Indian cricket, there's god (Sachin Tendulkar) and there's me. That's the benchmark. Gill has a long way to go before reaching that level". Internet reacts to the video clip Responding to the viral video clip, an X user said "I will be half asleep and still know that this is not how Virat talks and this is not even his voice." "Bhaisahab, elon was right AI is far more dangerous than Nukes," said another. A third commented "it sure is at times but here one can easily notice it's not VK,". Another user commented "AI should be Universally Banned immediately, As negatives are immense compared to the positives." The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.

Deepfake video of Virat Kohli criticising Shubman Gill goes viral, leaves fans shocked

People talk about the next Virat Kohli, but let me be clear, there's only one Virat Kohli. I have faced the toughest bowlers, delivered in the most intense situations, and done it consistently for over a decade. A video has gone viral on social media in which former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli is seen commenting about Shubman Gill. In the video, Kohli appears to be critical of Gill's potential, with some sharp comments that could raise some eyebrows. But there is a problem -- Kohli never said any such things, and the video circulating on social media is a deepfake, a video manipulated using AI to clone his voice. CREDIT: BCCL The video in question starts with what appears to be an interview with Kohli, where he can be seen speaking. "When we came back from Australia, I figured out what it takes to succeed at the highest level. I have been watching Gill closely. He is talented, no doubt. But there's a big gap between showing promise and becoming a legend. Gill's technique is solid, but let's not get ahead of ourselves," Kohli says in the video. However, mid-conversation, the video switches over to generic visuals of Kohli and Gill, even as he continues to speak. "People talk about the next Virat Kohli, but let me be clear, there's only one Virat Kohli. I have faced the toughest bowlers, delivered in the most intense situations, and done it consistently for over a decade. You can't replicate that with just a few good innings," Kohli is further heard saying. Also read: 75 Per Cent Indians Have Encountered Deepfake Content Says McAfee Study CREDIT: ANI "If I make the wrong decision, I sit outside and clap all day. In Indian cricket, there's the God, and then there's me. That's the benchmark. Gill has a long way to go before reaching that level," he added. The video has the typical characteristics of a deepfake -- where the person whose voice has been cloned is hardly seen speaking directly to the camera. That is because no matter how well the AI has managed to clone the voice, matching its pitch and modulations, the lip movement usually gives it away. To mask this, deepfakes usually do not show the speaker for a long time or in close-up shots. CREDIT: SCIENCE PLUS This is not the first time Kohli, arguably one of the most recognisable faces in India, has fallen victim to a deepfake scam. A few months ago, another deepfake video emerged showing him promoting a betting app. With AI tools becoming easily accessible, several celebrities, including actors Rashmika Mandanna, Alia Bhatt, and more, have fallen victim to deepfakes.

Deepfake of Virat Kohli critiquing Shubman Gill goes viral, social media reacts

The edited video that has garnered significant attention on social media opens to show Kohli saying, "I've been watching Gill closely, he's talented, no doubt, but there's a huge gap between showing promise and becoming a legend." (Also Read: Alia Bhatt's deepfake GRWM video gets 17 million views. 'Is this legal,' asks internet) Further, the skipper in the edited video can be heard talking about Gill's technique. He says, "Gill's technique is solid, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. People talk about the next Virat Kohli, but let me be clear: there's only one Virat Kohli". This video was shared on August 27. Since being posted, it has gained more than three lakh views. The share also has close to 4,000 likes. Many people took to comments section of the post and shared their reactions. An individual wrote, "No matter how arrogant people say he might be but he will never, ever say this." Another person added, "If you didn't say AI, I would have thought WHAT ?!!! Trusting it 95%. After saying it, AI, still thinking 50%" "I will be half asleep and still know that this is not how Virat talks, and this is not even his voice," commented someone else. X user Aryan said, "Only a matter of time before an AI-generated video also appears completely true."