New Delhi– Just a day after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Indian batting icon Virat Kohli visited Vrindavan with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, for a spiritual meeting with Premanand Ji Maharaj at Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram, Varah Ghat.
The couple received blessings from Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj during what was described as a deeply spiritual conversation (Ekantik Vartalaap). This marked their second visit to the ashram this year; they had previously visited in January along with their children.
Upon arriving at the ashram, the couple was warmly greeted by the revered spiritual leader. When Maharaj Ji asked Kohli, “Prasanna ho?” (“Are you happy?”), the cricketer humbly replied, “Ji, abhi thik hain” (“Yes, I’m okay”). Maharaj Ji responded gently, “You should stay well.”
Offering spiritual guidance, Premanand Ji Maharaj shared words of reflection and inner transformation. He emphasized that prosperity is not merely a matter of divine grace but also a result of accumulated virtue (punya). He urged the couple to continue living in the world, fully engaged in their duties, while shifting their inner consciousness away from fame and toward divine longing. He said, “Let your inner contemplation be: ‘Lord, I have experienced enough in this life—now I seek only You.’” Anushka was seen visibly moved during the exchange.
Virat and Anushka have made several spiritual pilgrimages in recent years. In 2023, they visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, and prior to that, the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram at Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand.
Kohli’s visit to Vrindavan came just a day after he announced the end of his 14-year-long Test career. In a post shared on Instagram, the 36-year-old confirmed his retirement from the longest format of the game, closing a remarkable chapter that spanned 123 matches, 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and 31 half-centuries.
The decision to retire was reportedly communicated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of India’s upcoming five-match Test series against England.
Making his Test debut in 2011, Kohli played a pivotal role in India’s transformation into a dominant Test side, both at home and overseas. Known for his aggressive captaincy and unwavering intensity, he led India to 40 Test victories, making him the fourth-most successful captain in the format after Graeme Smith (53), Ricky Ponting (48), and Steve Waugh (41).
With 30 Test hundreds, Kohli ranks as India’s fourth-most prolific century-maker, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar (51), Rahul Dravid (36), and Sunil Gavaskar (34). He also holds the record for the most Test double centuries by an Indian (7) and the most centuries by an Indian captain (20).
Kohli had earlier retired from T20 internationals following India’s T20 World Cup triumph. He now intends to focus solely on One Day Internationals (ODIs). (Source: IANS)
