Why Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma were Asked to Leave from a Café in New Zealand?
Why Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma were Asked to Leave from a Café in New Zealand?
Jemimah Rodrigues recalls an incident where the star couple faced an unusual situation abroad
Even global icons are not immune to awkward moments. Cricket superstar Virat Kohli and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma, who are among India’s most celebrated power couples, once found themselves in an unexpected situation in New Zealand. The revelation came from Indian women’s cricket team batter Jemimah Rodrigues during a recent conversation with Mashable India.
Rodrigues shared that during a tour of New Zealand, she and her teammate Smriti Mandhana sought advice from Virat Kohli on batting techniques and career growth. The interaction, initially intended as a quick conversation, soon blossomed into a warm and engaging discussion. “Virat bhai actually told us, ‘You both have the power to change women’s cricket, and I can see that happening,’” Rodrigues recalled.
The meeting later extended to a café in the hotel where both the men’s and women’s teams were staying. Joined by Anushka Sharma, the four of them talked not just about cricket but also about life, careers, and personal journeys. Rodrigues described it as “a reunion of long-lost friends,” noting that the conversation stretched to nearly four hours.
However, the extended stay led to an unusual turn of events. The café staff, noticing the length of their visit, politely asked them to vacate the table. As Rodrigues put it, “The only reason we stopped was because the café owners asked us to leave.”
For Kohli and Sharma, the incident highlighted the contrasting nature of life abroad. In India, their fame often ensures VIP treatment and attention, but overseas, they experience relative anonymity, sometimes even leading to situations such as this.
Now settled in London with their two children, Vamika and Akaya, the couple prefers a quieter lifestyle away from constant paparazzi glare. Anushka gave birth to their second child in London, and the family is often spotted enjoying casual walks in the city.
While the café episode may have been a moment of mild embarrassment, it also revealed another side of Kohli and Sharma, their openness to meaningful conversations and their willingness to encourage the younger generation of cricketers.
