Virat Kohli has found himself in a spot of bother after ad regulator Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) said that it will write to the cricketer, over some social media posts.
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Team India skipper Virat Kohli is considered one of the most popular cricketers ever. Kohli is hailed by one and all for setting the right example, and emerging as the perfect role model. The 32-year-old enjoys a lot of appreciation for the hard work, dedication and professionalism he ensures at every stage. However, Kohli has found himself in a spot of bother after ad regulator Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) said that it will write to the cricketer, over some social media posts.
The Team India skipper was seen praising a college on Instagram over a series of posts, which appeared like a promotional campaign. Kohli tagged the college’s official social media handles, and used a hashtag that did not contain any disclosure required by ASCI’s newly launched influencer guidelines.
Communications strategy consultant Karthik Srinivasan termed the Team India skipper as the most popular and leading influencer in India. Srinivasan further termed it almost incumbent upon ASCI to take some sort of action.
“It is critical so that it doesn’t set a bad precedence. I’ve reached out to ASCI and they said they are taking it up suo moto on their own. All other influencers and the agencies are keenly looking forward to what ASCI will do in this case or how the penalty will be imposed, if there’s a penalty at all as it will set a new direction. This is the first time the rules are being implemented, we do not know how much power does ASCI have but it has to be vocal,” he stated as quoted by Mint.
Kohli praised Lovely Professional University (LPU) in his social media posts, using hashtag #LPUStudentsInOlympics.
“What a record, 10% of Indian Olympians are from Lovely Professional University. I hope LPU will send students to the Indian cricket team also! Jai Hind,” stated the Team India skipper.
Kohli further shared a promotional advertisement by LPU, along with a list of 11 students who are part of the Indian Olympic squad.
“ASCI will take up the issue and write to the celebrity and the advertiser for their clarifications,” said Manisha Kapoor, secretary-general, ASCI.
Kohli is the top celebrity endorser for the fourth consecutive year. The Team India skipper maintained his brand value at $237.7 million according to the 2020 Duff & Phelps celebrity brand valuation report, despite the nation battling COVID-19.
Kohli will be next seen in action, during the five-match away Test series in England. The Team India skipper will be missing out on the services of all-rounder Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan and Shubman Gill in the vital series. Sundar had taken an injection on his right-hand bowling finger. However, his recovery will take longer than expected and he is not bowling-fit. Avesh suffered a blow to his left thumb on Day 1 of the warm-up game. He was taken for an X-Ray and the result confirmed a fracture. Shubman Gill sustained a developing stress reaction on his left lower leg (shin) during the World Test Championship final. This was confirmed via an MRI scan.
India’s squad: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav
Standby players: Prasidh Krishna, Arzan Nagwaswalla.
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