‘Totally unacceptable’: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli shares disturbing hotel room video

Crown Resorts has taken action after Indian superstar Virat Kohli shared a disturbing video to his 221 million Instagram followers.

Crown Resorts has taken action after Indian cricketer Virat Kohli shared disturbing footage of a stranger filming a video in his Crown Perth hotel room.

On Monday afternoon, the 33-year-old uploaded a 30-second clip to his 221 million Instagram followers of an unidentified person donning a suit walking around his hotel room, filming his bags and clothes.

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“I understand that fans get very happy and excited seeing their favourite players and get excited to meet them and I’ve always appreciated that,” Kohli captioned the post.

“But this video here is appalling and it’s made me feel very paranoid about my privacy. If I cannot have privacy in my own hotel room, then where can I really expect any personal space at all?

“I’m NOT okay with this kind of fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy. Please respect people’s privacy and not treat them as a commodity for entertainment.”

Australian batter David Warner commented: “This is ridiculous, totally unacceptable.”

Kohli’s brother Vikas wrote: “This is really very unprofessional whom so ever did it, I'm assuming it must be the hotel staff only, else if its some other fans it's a total disaster from the hotel management.

“Where is the security and privacy of the guest … this is very alarming.”

This is horrendous and extremely disturbing. https://t.co/FAs88nErnR

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 31, 2022

One feels for #ViratKohli

It is outrageous for, presumably, hotel staff to have recorded visuals inside @imVkohli room. Completely out of bounds.

I am saddened to say this, but I hope the hotel takes stern action. This is unacceptable.

— Anand Datla (@SportASmile) October 31, 2022

On Monday evening, a Crown Resorts spokesperson released a statement confirming “the individuals involved have been stood down and removed from the Crown account”.

“We are aware of an incident involving a contractor and the privacy of a guest at Crown Perth,” the statement read.

“The safety and privacy of our guests is our number one priority, and we are incredibly

disappointed this incident has occurred.

“We unreservedly apologise to the guest involved and will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure this remains an isolated incident.

“We have zero tolerance for this behaviour, and it falls well below the standards we set for our team members and contractors.

“Crown took immediate steps to rectify the issue, including launching an investigation, standing down the individuals involved and removing them from the Crown account. The original video was also swiftly removed from the social media platform.

“We are also cooperating with the Indian Cricket team and the International Cricket Council to convey our apologies and will continue to work with them as we progress our investigation.”

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. Photo by Trevor Collens / AFP

The International Cricket Council also released a statement on Monday evening: “The ICC is incredibly disappointed by the gross invasion of privacy suffered by a member of the Indian traveling party at the Crown Perth, during their team’s pre-event preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

“We continue to work with event hotels and security providers to ensure that this remains an isolated incident and player privacy is fully respected at all times.”

On Sunday evening, India lost its T20 World Cup match against South Africa at Perth Stadium by five wickets, with the Proteas chasing the 134-run target with two balls to spare.

Aiden Markram and David Miller scored half-centuries during the run chase, with South African paceman Lungi Ngidi claimed 4/29 in the first innings.

India will next face Bangladesh at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7pm AEDT.

Originally published as ‘Totally unacceptable’: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli shares disturbing hotel room video