Just a day after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli visited Vrindavan along with his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, to seek spiritual guidance from revered saint Premanand Maharaj. The couple visited the Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram, where they spent time receiving blessings and spiritual advice.
Photos of the couple interacting with Premanand Maharaj quickly went viral on social media, with fans appreciating the calm and reflective moment in Kohli’s life following a major career milestone.
After their visit to the ashram, Kohli was seen holding a Jaap counting machine—a device used for mantra chanting—as he exited his car. He briefly waved to fans before quietly making his way to the airport.
Kohli is scheduled to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in their upcoming IPL 2025 fixture against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday.
Earlier this week, Kohli announced the end of his illustrious Test career. The 35-year-old played 123 matches for India, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. As captain, he led India to 40 Test victories in 68 matches—the highest by any Indian skipper.
Reacting to Kohli’s decision, former India coach Ravi Shastri said the announcement caught him off guard. “I did speak to him about it a week before the news broke, and his mind was very clear. He felt he had given everything to Test cricket and had no regrets,” Shastri shared during an interview with The ICC Review.
While Shastri believed Kohli still had a couple of years left in him, he acknowledged the toll constant scrutiny had taken. “He’s one of the fittest athletes out there. But when you’re mentally fried, that’s when your body begins to signal it’s time,” he explained.
Shastri further noted that Kohli’s passionate and high-energy persona, combined with his massive fan following and relentless spotlight, may have contributed to the burnout. “He made people across the world watch the game—whether they loved him or hated him. But it also meant never being out of the public eye.”
