Arshdeep Singh has once again become the center of online discussion during the ongoing Indian Premier League season, but this time not only because of his performances on the field. The left-arm fast bowler has attracted attention after reportedly removing or archiving more than 200 posts from his Instagram account, including a widely shared reel featuring Virat Kohli from the 2025 Champions Trophy celebrations.
The sudden social media cleanup has sparked curiosity among cricket fans and internet users, especially because the move comes shortly after Arshdeep faced criticism over a controversial interaction involving fellow Indian cricketer Tilak Varma.
More Than 200 Instagram Posts Reportedly Removed
According to online observations by fans and social media trackers, Arshdeep Singh’s official Instagram account now displays only around 44 posts, while a large number of older uploads appear to have been deleted or archived.
Among the missing posts is reportedly a viral reel featuring Virat Kohli during India’s Champions Trophy campaign in 2025. The reel had gained significant attention from fans at the time and was widely shared across social media platforms.
Although celebrities and athletes occasionally reorganize or clean up their social media profiles, the timing of Arshdeep’s action has drawn extra attention due to the controversies surrounding him in recent weeks.
So far, neither Arshdeep Singh nor his management team has issued any official explanation regarding the removal of the posts.
Tilak Varma Controversy Triggered Online Backlash
Earlier this month, Arshdeep became involved in an online controversy after a video clip surfaced from a casual interaction with Indian teammates.
In the clip, the Punjab Kings pacer was allegedly heard making remarks toward Tilak Varma during a light-hearted conversation. He also jokingly asked whether the Mumbai Indians batter had applied sunscreen before referring to teammate Naman Dhir as “Punjab’s real glow.”
The conversation quickly triggered criticism on social media, with several users accusing the cricketer of making insensitive comments related to skin tone and colorism.
The controversy spread rapidly online, leading to intense debate among cricket fans and social media users.
Neither Arshdeep Nor Tilak Responded Publicly
Despite the growing discussion online, neither Arshdeep Singh nor Tilak Varma publicly commented on the controversy.
The absence of any official clarification further fueled speculation across social media platforms, where users continued debating the intent and context behind the remarks.
Many fans defended the interaction as harmless banter between teammates, while others criticized the language used in the clip.
Arshdeep’s IPL 2026 Campaign Remained Inconsistent
Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh experienced a mixed campaign during IPL 2026. Statistically, he finished as Punjab Kings’ leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets during the season.
However, despite picking up wickets, his performances often lacked consistency.
Arshdeep Singh’s IPL 2026 Highlights
- Finished as PBKS’ highest wicket-taker
- Claimed 14 wickets during the season
- Struggled with control in several matches
- Conceded multiple wides
- Ended with an economy rate of 10.20
Cricket analysts noted that while Arshdeep remained an attacking option for Punjab Kings, his expensive spells proved costly in several crucial games.
Punjab Kings Missed Playoff Qualification Narrowly
Punjab Kings’ overall IPL 2026 season also ended in disappointment despite a strong start to the campaign.
The franchise reportedly won six of its first seven matches and initially appeared among the strongest playoff contenders. However, inconsistent performances later in the tournament resulted in the team narrowly missing playoff qualification.
PBKS Season Summary
- Strong opening phase
- Won 6 out of first 7 matches
- Missed playoffs by just one point
- Finished outside qualification spots despite early momentum
The team had entered the season hoping to improve after finishing runners-up in the previous IPL edition.
Social Media Scrutiny Increasing for Modern Cricketers
Arshdeep Singh’s recent Instagram activity once again highlights how closely modern athletes are monitored both on and off the field. In today’s digital era, social media interactions, jokes, old posts, and online behavior often receive as much attention as sporting performances themselves.
Many athletes now carefully manage their online presence because controversies can quickly escalate across platforms and influence public image.
Experts believe public figures increasingly archive or remove older content to avoid misunderstandings, trolling, or unnecessary controversies in highly sensitive online environments.
Fans Continue Speculating Over the Instagram Cleanup
With no official explanation from the cricketer, fans continue speculating about the reason behind the sudden removal of posts.
Some believe the move may simply be part of a profile refresh or social media rebranding, while others feel it may be connected to recent criticism and online backlash.
Regardless of the reason, Arshdeep Singh’s Instagram activity has become one of the most discussed cricket-related social media topics during IPL 2026.
