Arshdeep Singh changes DP, wipes Instagram profile almost clean; viral Virat Kohli post also deleted

There has been no explanation yet from Arshdeep Singh yet, leaving fans scrambling to decode whether it hinted at a personal reset

Updated on: May 26, 2026, 08:58:05 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh triggered a social media frenzy late on Monday night after wiping his Instagram profile almost clean. Not only did he change his display picture, but he also deleted more than 200 posts, including the viral reel with Virat Kohli from the Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

Arshdeep Singh’s dramatic Instagram purge left internet spiralling (AFP)

There has been no explanation yet from Arshdeep regarding the sudden social media activity, leaving fans scrambling to decode whether the move hinted at a personal reset, a rebranding exercise, or something far bigger behind the scenes.

More than 200 Instagram posts have disappeared, reducing his total uploads to just 40. Contrary to several claims circulating on social media, Arshdeep has neither deleted all posts related to Punjab Kings nor removed PBKS from his bio. Whether some posts were later reinstated, however, could not be independently verified by Hindustan Times.

ALSO READ: INR 36 crore down the drain: How Punjab Kings bought IPL 2026's best top order and the worst bowling unit

The remaining posts primarily feature moments with his family, milestones from his cricketing journey, and a handful of brand endorsements. But the biggest surprise remains the removal of the Kohli-Champions Trophy clip, which had amassed more than 150 million views on his account.

Arshdeep has found himself at the centre of social media backlash multiple times in recent weeks. Earlier this month, an alleged racial remark directed at Tilak Varma before Punjab’s match against the Mumbai Indians went viral online. He was allegedly heard saying, “Oye Andhere, sunscreen lagaaya?” (“Hey, dark one, did you apply sunscreen?”), which triggered outrage among sections of fans and cricket experts alike.

Former India cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan had strongly criticised Arshdeep and even called for his suspension from the IPL.

“Nobody believed me. Everyone mocked and trolled me. Arshdeep should be banned this season and should be paid on a pro rata basis. The players today should be hit where it hurts the most,” he had written on X.

He further added: “If BCCI takes action, I will name people who racially abused me.”

Arshdeep later courted controversy again after a fiery response to a fan on Snapchat following PBKS’s defeat to Mumbai. Soon after, he sparked fresh debate for teasing his own teammate, Priyansh Arya, in another Snapchat story that quickly went viral online.

At the end of it all, the speedster incurred a poor IPL 2026 season, where he picked up only 14 wickets in 14 games at an economy rate of 10.21.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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