Virat Kohli rejects allegations of paid ashram visit.

Cricketer clarifies his spiritual visits stem from faith, not financial deals.

Former India captain Virat Kohli has categorically denied claims that he was paid Rs 5 crore to visit the Vrindavan ashram of spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj. The allegation, made by Dinesh Sharma also known as Falahari Maharaj and president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas suggested that significant funds were spent to secure Kohli’s presence at the ashram. However, no evidence has surfaced to substantiate the claim, with no contracts, payment records, or credible documentation available in the public domain.

Responding to the controversy, Kohli’s spokesperson dismissed the reports as “false, baseless and factually incorrect.” The statement emphasized that Kohli’s visits to Premanand Maharaj are motivated solely by personal reverence and spiritual belief. “Mr. Virat Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj Ji purely out of his deep faith and respect,” the spokesperson clarified. Kohli and his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, have made several trips to the ashram since their first reported visit in January 2023, underscoring their continued spiritual connection rather than any financial arrangement.

The denial comes as Kohli remains in the spotlight both on and off the field. Having retired from T20I and Test cricket, the star batter is now focused exclusively on the 50‑over format. His recent return to ODI action against the West Indies highlighted his enduring class. Kohli began the three‑match series with a commanding unbeaten 139 in Thiruvananthapuram, a knock that propelled him past the 15,000‑run milestone in ODIs- making him only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the feat. He followed up with scores of 29 and zero in the subsequent matches, finishing the series with 168 runs overall. India won the first two games but lost the third, allowing the West Indies to avoid a clean sweep.

Looking ahead, Kohli’s next assignment will be India’s tour of New Zealand in November, featuring five ODIs, five T20Is, and two Tests. With his sights firmly set on the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kohli has indicated that the tournament will mark his final appearance on cricket’s biggest stage. For now, his focus remains on contributing to India’s ODI success while continuing his personal spiritual journey- one that, he insists, is rooted in faith rather than financial gain.