The controversy surrounding Indian cricketer Virat Kohli intensified when German model LizLaz claimed she was offered money by journalists to make false statements about him. This incident arose after Kohli's Instagram account liked one of her posts, leading to widespread speculation on social media. In an interview with Filmymantra Media, LizLaz expressed her disbelief at the offers, stating, "Some journalists even offered me money to say bad things about him and make allegations about things he never did." She emphasized that Kohli is one of her favorite cricketers and that she had no intention of damaging his reputation for financial gain. LizLaz recounted how she became the center of attention, receiving numerous calls and messages after the incident. She humorously noted the differing perceptions of Kohli in Germany, where cricket is less popular, compared to India. Currently, Kohli is participating in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he has scored 379 runs in 11 innings.