Star Indian batter Virat Kohli, accompanied by his wife Anushka Sharma and their children, recently visited the ashram of renowned priest Premanand Maharaj in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Kohli, who has been under fire for his poor form in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, seemed to seek solace amid a challenging phase in his career. The five-match Test series, which India lost 1-3, saw Kohli scoring only 190 runs in nine innings, despite a century in the opening game.
This underwhelming performance led to criticism from fans and former cricketers, with some even questioning his and skipper Rohit Sharma’s place in the team. With the Tests behind him and India preparing for the upcoming white-ball series against England, Kohli took the opportunity to unwind with his family.
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The couple, known for their spiritual inclination and devotion to Lord Krishna, have often been spotted participating in religious events. A video circulating on social media shows Virat, Anushka, and their children, Vamika and Akaay, receiving blessings from Premanand Maharaj at the ashram.
Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma Visited At Vrindavan Dham To Meet Shri Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj. pic.twitter.com/6BSFVSaDtr
— NRS (@infinitynishant) January 10, 2025
During the visit, Anushka shared a heartfelt moment with Maharaj. She recalled her previous visit, saying, “Last time, I had many questions in my heart. I wanted to ask them, but someone else ended up asking similar ones. This time, as I thought of coming here, I was conversing with you in my mind. The next day, when I opened ‘Kanti Vartalap,’ I found those questions already addressed. All I seek now is your blessing for pure devotion.”
Shri Premanand Ji Maharaj said – “Ye (Virat Kohli) Pure Bharat ko prashannta dete hai, Ye agar Vijay hote hai to pura Bharat khushiyon manata hai. Inke saath pura Bharat Juda hua hai (Virat Kohli gives happiness to the whole of India, If he wins then whole India happy & whole… pic.twitter.com/gVknTOxgTa
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 10, 2025
Moved by their sincerity, Maharaj praised the couple, saying, “They are very brave. Achieving such fame and yet dedicating themselves to God is rare. Anushka’s devotion will undoubtedly influence Virat as well.”
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The Indian cricket team is set to face England in a white-ball series starting January 22, with a T20I in Kolkata. This series marks a new chapter as Kohli, Rohit, and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20Is after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. Following this, India will focus on the Champions Trophy 2025, beginning with their opening match against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.
