Just a day after stepping away from Test cricket, Virat Kohli made headlines again—this time for a quiet spiritual retreat with wife Anushka Sharma in Vrindavan. Their serene visit to the ashram of spiritual guru Premanand Ji Maharaj has set social media abuzz, especially as fans draw parallels between Kohli’s evolving persona and a humorous comment he made years ago.
A Humble Retreat, a Viral Echo
In a video shared by ANI, the couple is seen arriving in a modest local taxi, dressed in understated attire and wearing masks, subtly steering away from the spotlight. At the ashram, Kohli was observed holding a digital Japa counter—used for mantra repetition—suggesting a deepening spiritual practice.
Meanwhile, a 2016 press conference clip has resurfaced and gone viral, where Kohli, responding to a light-hearted question, joked, “Do I look the pooja-path types?” The contrast between that tongue-in-cheek remark and his current spiritual focus has intrigued fans and sparked a flurry of online discussion.
Kohli’s spiritual journey isn’t new. Over the past few years, he and Anushka have made multiple pilgrimages across India, including visits to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram in Uttarakhand. These low-key yet meaningful moments seem to reflect a personal evolution that goes beyond cricket.
A Shift in Persona and Public Perception
Notably, Kohli himself acknowledged this transformation in the same 2016 press conference. “When I started, a lot about me was wrong… I was the tattoo guy, the one who wore stylish clothes,” he admitted, emphasizing his commitment to hard work and growth over time. Today, his grounded demeanor and openness about spirituality suggest a more introspective phase in his life.
Anushka, too, has often spoken about their reserved approach to fame. In a past interview with journalist Anupama Chopra, she stated, “We are very awkward with the fame we have. We don’t embrace the fame and the stardom.” That sentiment seems to ring true, especially during their recent Vrindavan visit where humility defined their presence.
The timing of the trip—immediately following Kohli’s Test retirement—adds another layer of significance. It feels less like a publicity move and more like a conscious reset. The couple’s connection to spiritual spaces and practices appears to be growing deeper, mirroring a broader trend among high-profile personalities seeking balance beyond the spotlight.
As fans digest this latest chapter in Kohli’s life, it’s clear that his journey—from bold youth to spiritual seeker—is resonating beyond the cricket pitch.