Does Virat Kohli Owns A Private Jet?
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Former captain of India Virat Kohli uploaded a few pictures portraying his journey from the West Indies to India in a private airplane. Unsurprisingly, that post caught a lot of attention and went viral very swiftly.
In the caption, Kohli thanked the global aircraft charter provider, Air Charter Service, for availing them the aircraft and also thanked the pilot, Abu Patel. But many fans have been wondering if Kohli actually owns a private jet considering that he is the richest active cricketer in the world and has an estimated net worth of over INR 1000 crore.
Does Virat Kohli Own A Private Jet?
A quick impersonal search on the Internet will show numerous articles authored by numerous well-known Indian media outlets about him owning one. An Instagram post in January 2019 tilted the balance in Kohli’s favor when he and his wife, Anushka Sharma, were pictured alongside a private jet during a visit to Australia and New Zealand. According to reports, the jet in the picture is said to be Kohli’s “Cessna 680 Citation Sovereign,” valued at approximately INR 125 crores.
However, during a commercial shoot for sportswear brand Puma in December 2021, Kohli denied owning a private jet, clarifying the rumors surrounding the topic.
Kohli’s Private Jet Travel: Criticism and Double Standards
While Kohli’s use of a private jet for travel sparked curiosity, it also drew criticism from a section of fans. Many pointed out the apparent contradiction between Kohli’s environmental advocacy and the use of private jets. As part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s “Go Green” initiative since 2011, Kohli and his IPL team wear green jerseys during one home match each season to promote environmental sustainability.
A CNBC report highlights that private jets emit two metric tons of carbon dioxide in just an hour, making them 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights. Kohli, who has previously urged people to celebrate a pollution-free Diwali, is likely aware of the environmental consequences of private jet travel, especially amid growing concerns about climate change. Fans hope he continues to set an example as a responsible role model.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s Stand on Environmental Responsibility
In 2018, Kohli posted a video of Anushka Sharma calling out a man for littering on the streets. In the video, Anushka can be heard reprimanding the man for throwing garbage out of his car window. Kohli captioned the video:
“Saw these people throwing garbage on the road & pulled them up rightfully. Traveling in a luxury car and brains gone for a toss. This coming from the ones who keep our surroundings clean? Really? If you spot something wrong just like this, do something like spreading this thing by word of mouth.
Envision your self-respect-havin’, carefully pedestrian-varied society. The man in the video, Arhhan Singh, claimed the disposer was accidental and condemned a further unfair accusation, from the husband-wife duo. However, one of the brighter things to come from the incident was Kohli and Anushka’s commitment to awareness on cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
Kohli has been applauded broadly for his eco-advocacy but has sparked a controversy over his use of private jets. Not a few wonder how far the two lifestyles coexist here with what he preaches away from sustainability. His followers hope that he continues to practice in keeping with what he promotes.