Just days after Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli stirred social media frenzy by ‘accidentally liking’ a photo of actress Avneet Kaur on Instagram, he and his wife, Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, were spotted together in Bengaluru on what appeared to be a dinner date — their first public appearance since the controversy erupted. But what’s capturing more attention than the outing itself is a short clip that’s gone viral, showing a seemingly awkward moment between the couple. In the video, which has been widely circulated across platforms like Reddit and Instagram, the couple is seen arriving at a restaurant. Virat exits the car first and, in a courteous gesture, extends his hand to Anushka as she prepares to step out. However, Anushka chooses to support herself using the car door instead of taking his hand. She then walks a few steps ahead of him toward the restaurant, while Virat follows behind. This seemingly minor moment has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with fans dissecting the video and speculating about the couple’s dynamics in the wake of the Avneet Kaur incident. Many Reddit users weighed in, offering humorous and observational takes. “He he, even I would not have held his hand to get down. Typical husband-wife dynamics,” one commenter joked, while another wrote, “What am I seeing… She didn’t hold Virat’s hand.” Some felt sympathy for Kohli, with posts like “Poor Virat,” while others dismissed the speculation, saying, “Algorithm mistakenly showed that Anushka didn’t hold Virat’s hand. There was absolutely no intent behind it.”

The video, which was reportedly taken on a Tuesday evening, has reignited conversations about celebrity privacy, fan scrutiny, and the online obsession with reading too much into everyday interactions. Despite the subtle moment being interpreted by some as a snub, others have urged restraint and cautioned against making assumptions based on a few seconds of footage. The couple appeared relaxed in casual attire — Virat in a minimalist t-shirt and trousers, and Anushka in a beige jumpsuit, looking effortlessly chic as always. The outing seemed to be a quiet attempt at normalcy following a week of internet speculation sparked by the Instagram mishap.

The controversy began when social media users noticed that Kohli’s verified Instagram account had ‘liked’ a photo of Avneet Kaur posted by a fan page. Although the like was quickly removed, screenshots began circulating online, igniting rumors and gossip about the nature of Kohli’s interaction. The story gained enough momentum that Kohli issued a rare public clarification via his Instagram Stories, writing, “I’d like to clarify that while clearing my feed, it appears the algorithm may have mistakenly registered an interaction. There was absolutely no intent behind it. I request that no unnecessary assumptions be made. Thank you for your understanding.” While the explanation was clear and firm, it did little to slow down the memes, hot takes, and over-analyses that flooded social media. For days, hashtags trended and fans picked apart every possible motive behind the interaction.

Now, with the Bengaluru outing, fans are seeing the couple in real-time again, and some are using the moment to speculate whether any tension lingers between them. However, those familiar with the couple’s longstanding relationship are less concerned. Virat and Anushka’s journey began around 2013 when the two met while shooting a commercial together. They maintained a relatively private relationship for several years before tying the knot in a picturesque ceremony in Italy in December 2017, attended by close friends and family. Their wedding made headlines not just for its destination and décor, but for how tightly the couple kept details under wraps, setting a trend among Indian celebrity weddings. In January 2021, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Vamika, and in February 2024, they became parents for the second time, celebrating the arrival of their son, Akaay. Throughout their relationship, Anushka and Virat have balanced two high-profile careers — one in cricket, the other in cinema — while also maintaining a stable, largely drama-free image, often admired by fans for their mutual respect, privacy, and public support for one another.

While the internet may be eager to jump on every detail — from social media likes to perceived body language — those close to the couple and their loyal fanbase understand that even the most beloved celebrity relationships face routine scrutiny. Anushka’s decision not to take Virat’s hand in a candid moment may say nothing at all, or perhaps just reflect a woman who’s entirely comfortable navigating public life on her own terms. In an age where every gesture is captured, slowed down, and dissected frame by frame, the incident is less a reflection of relationship drama and more a commentary on the digital microscope under which modern celebrity lives unfold.

As the dust settles on the Avneet Kaur ‘like’ controversy, the couple’s low-key dinner outing seems to reaffirm that they are moving past the moment — together and with grace. Neither Anushka nor Virat has addressed the viral video or the online chatter surrounding it, a silence that perhaps says more than any statement ever could. It’s a reminder that even amid online storms, real relationships are built on more than algorithms and assumptions.