Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma Visit Vrindavan Ashram After Test Retirement, Seek Blessings from Spiritual Guru
Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma Visit Vrindavan Ashram After Test Retirement, Seek Blessings from Spiritual Guru
Just a day after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, former Indian captain Virat Kohli, accompanied by his wife and actor Anushka Sharma, visited the Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram at Varah Ghat in Vrindavan. The couple sought blessings from revered spiritual leader Shri Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj, engaging in an intimate Ekantik Vartalaap (spiritual dialogue).
This marked their second visit to the ashram this year, the first being in January with their children. Clad in simple white attire, the couple’s understated presence and choice to travel by a local cab drew admiration across social media platforms, with a video from the visit surfacing Tuesday morning.
#WATCH | #ViratKohli and Anushka Sharma arrive at Uttar Pradesh's Vrindavan pic.twitter.com/u6rI5EGLMn
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2025
“Prasanna Ho?” A Heartfelt Interaction with the Spiritual Guru
Upon arrival, Premanand Maharaj warmly greeted the cricketer and asked, “Prasanna ho?” (Are you happy?). Kohli humbly replied, “Ji, abhi thik hain” (Yes, I’m doing okay). The guru responded with a gentle blessing: “You must always remain well.”
During the spiritual exchange, Maharaj Ji shared profound wisdom on life, success, and inner transformation. He remarked,
“Worldly success is not just divine grace it’s also a result of your virtues. What truly matters is whether there’s been a change in your thoughts. Live fully in the world, but let your inner being seek only the Lord.”
Anushka, visibly moved, asked, “Baba, kya naam jap se ho jayega?” (Will chanting the divine name be enough?). Maharaj Ji affirmed with conviction:
“Yes. I speak from experience. After walking the paths of Sankhya Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Karma Yoga, I found Bhakti Yoga. Chanting the name is more than enough.”
He further added that true divine grace lies in inner transformation, quoting the Bhagavad Gita:
“Even Lord Krishna says, ‘My devotee is never lost.’ Chant His name with joy and surrender.”
Emotional Timing: A Spiritual Retreat Following Retirement
Kohli’s visit came less than 24 hours after his emotional retirement announcement from Test cricket via Instagram on Monday. His 14-year-long Test career included 123 matches, 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and 31 half-centuries. His decision reportedly followed a private intimation to the BCCI, just ahead of India’s five-match Test series against England.
The 36-year-old retires as India’s most successful Test captain, with 40 wins under his leadership — globally ranking behind only Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41). Kohli also holds the record for most double centuries (7) by an Indian, and most centuries (20) as Test captain.
Having already stepped away from T20Is after India’s T20 World Cup triumph last year, Kohli will now represent India only in the ODI format.
Spiritual Anchor: A Consistent Retreat for the Couple
This wasn’t the couple’s first spiritual visit. In January, a viral video from the same ashram showed Premanand Maharaj praising Anushka for being Kohli’s spiritual anchor, despite his towering fame and cricketing legacy.
As tributes poured in from the cricket and film fraternity including Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Angad Bedi, and Suniel Shetty Kohli’s parting words to Test cricket linger with emotion and clarity:
“It’s never easy to walk away from something you’ve devoted yourself to for so long. But I know in my heart, it’s the right time.”
Now, as Kohli steps into a new chapter of life — with cricket taking a backseat — it appears a more profound spiritual journey may be underway.
