Did Virat Kohli Really Call Musheer Khan a ‘Water Boy’? Here’s What We Know

A short video clip from the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) has gone viral, causing a stir among cricket fans on social media. In the footage, RCB’s star player Virat Kohli is seen making a hand gesture as 20-year-old Musheer Khan walks out to bat for PBKS. Some users online claim Kohli referred to the young debutant as a “water boy.” But is there any truth to it?

The Incident That Sparked the Debate

The moment occurred during the 9th over of PBKS’s innings in the high-stakes match held in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on May 29. As Musheer Khan, an Impact Substitute, stepped in to face his first ball in an IPL playoff, Kohli was caught on camera gesturing and having a light-hearted conversation with teammates.

Many interpreted the gesture as Kohli saying, “Yeh paani pilata hai,” pointing out that Musheer had been carrying drinks to players just a few overs earlier.

Social Media Reacts: Mixed Opinions Flood In

The clip led to widespread commentary:

• Some fans criticized Kohli, calling the remark inappropriate and disrespectful, especially toward a youngster making his IPL debut.

• Others defended him, stating the comment was misinterpreted. According to these fans, Kohli was pointing out the unusual situation where a player who was bringing water earlier had now come in to bat.

Social Media Reaction: Divided and Intense

Reddit threads and Twitter timelines lit up with mixed reactions.

Some fans strongly defended Kohli, offering context:

“Man, you guys are absolute clowns. Musheer came as a waterboy during the break, and later as an impact sub, which was what Kohli was mentioning to his teammates. Go carry out your agenda somewhere else.”
— shadowkarma_wastaken (Reddit)

“Before any more brainwashed idiots fall for this, Musheer got drinks just a few overs ago. Kohli most likely meant that just a few minutes ago, the guy who was bringing drinks—and wasn’t supposed to bat—has to come and bat now. Go on, continue the blind hatred.”
— anonymous_x04 (Reddit)

Others, however, felt differently and criticized the gesture:

“This is wrong in my opinion. He is an inspiration for young cricketers and shouldn’t say things like this. Musheer has played well and won us matches during the U19 World Cup. It also means he has no respect for those who bring water to the players. Very disappointing from Virat.”
— Comfortable_Algae435 (Reddit)

But as the dust settled, the real debate began.

🟡 Some fans defended Kohli, saying it was nothing more than on-field banter, perhaps surprised that the same player who was carrying drinks a few overs ago was now facing the pressure of a knockout match.
🟠 Others weren’t so sure. They felt it crossed the line, especially coming from a senior player to a young talent in his first big moment.

The three voices we’re highlighting here reflect India’s cricketing conscience at work—some defending legacy, others demanding grace, and a few calling out blind bias.

Because in the end, it’s not just about who said what.
It’s about the kind of culture we want to build in the sport.

Context: Musheer Khan’s Journey This IPL

Musheer Khan, who has largely warmed the bench this season, was bought by Punjab Kings for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2025 auction. Despite limited playtime, the Mumbai-based batter has been a part of PBKS’ support staff duties, including carrying drinks.

Interestingly, earlier in the season, Virat Kohli had gifted Musheer a personal bat, after a league match between RCB and PBKS. Musheer had shared his gratitude on Instagram, writing:

“A million thanks for the bat, Virat Bhaiyya.”

So, Did Kohli Insult Musheer?

As of now, no official comment has been made by either Kohli or Musheer. The video has no audio confirmation, and interpretations vary. While Kohli’s on-field energy and animated style are well-known, it remains unclear whether his intent was humorous or disrespectful.

What’s clear is that social media can amplify moments, sometimes without the full picture.