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

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¡ªKohli 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

What 'deepfake Virat Kohli' said about Shubman Gill

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.

'There's the God, and then there's me'

"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.

AI is Dangerous pic.twitter.com/njUvwiwc4t

¡ª Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) August 27, 2024

Signature tricks of deepfakes

The video has the typical characteristics of a deepfake¡ªwhere 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

Growing menace of deepfakes targeting celebrities

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.

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