Virat Kohli Visits Vrindavan with Anushka Sharma After Announcing Test Retirement
Just a day after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli paid a spiritual visit to Vrindavan, a sacred town in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district, along with his wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.
The couple made their way to the ashram of renowned spiritual leader Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj, also known as Premanand Ji Maharaj, to seek his blessings.
Photos and videos from their visit have rapidly gone viral across social media platforms. One widely circulated video captures the couple arriving in Vrindavan by car, while several photos show them respectfully kneeling in front of Maharaj Ji.
The spiritual leader, dressed in traditional yellow robes, is seen speaking into a microphone while addressing the couple, who appeared in modest, simple clothing and listened with folded hands.
This isn’t their first spiritual retreat to Premanand Ji’s ashram. Reports suggest that Virat and Anushka previously visited the guru in January 2023 and again in January 2025, indicating a continuing bond with the spiritual guide.
During the interaction, Premanand Ji Maharaj asked Kohli, “Prasanna ho?” (Are you happy?), to which the cricketer replied, “Ji, abhi thik hain” (Yes, I’m okay). The guru gently blessed him, saying, “You should stay well.”
The conversation took a deeper spiritual tone as Maharaj Ji shared his wisdom:
“Ye vaibhav milna kripa nahi hai, ye punya hai. Bhagwan ki kriya maani jati hai andar ka chintan badalna… Bilkul aise hi rahiye jaise reh rahe ho, bilkul sansarik ban kar raho, lekin andar ka chintan badal jaye. Usme yash ki bhavna na rahe… andar ka chintan ye ho ki ‘Prabhu, bohot janm vyateet ho gaye, ab mujhe aap chahiye’.”
(Translation: “Prosperity is not just divine grace — it is the fruit of one’s virtue. A shift in one’s inner consciousness is considered a divine act. Continue living your worldly life as you are, but let there be a transformation within.
Let go of the desire for fame, and let your inner longing be only for the Lord — a realization that after many lifetimes, now, all you seek is Him.”)
Responding thoughtfully, Anushka asked, “Kya jap se ho jaega?” (Will chanting bring this transformation?)
Kohli’s Emotional Test Cricket Farewell
Virat Kohli officially announced his retirement from Test cricket via Instagram on Monday, ending a celebrated 14-year journey in the longest format of the game. In his heartfelt message, he reflected on the deep impact Test cricket had on him, saying:
“It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites.
The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever.”
Kohli went on to say that while the decision wasn’t easy, it felt like the right time:
“I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude — for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I’ll always look back at my Test career with a smile.”
Anushka’s Emotional Tribute
Shortly after Kohli’s post, Anushka Sharma shared her emotional tribute to her husband on social media, accompanied by a photo of the two walking hand-in-hand on a cricket field. Her words paid homage to the unseen struggles and quiet resilience behind Kohli’s record-breaking career:
“They’ll talk about the records and the milestones — but I’ll remember the tears you never showed, the battles no one saw, and the unwavering love you gave this format of the game. I know how much all this took from you. After every Test series, you came back a little wiser, a little humbler — and watching you evolve through it all has been a privilege.”
She added with affection and admiration:
“Somehow, I always imagined you’d retire from international cricket in whites — but you’ve always followed your heart. And so, my love, you’ve earned every bit of this goodbye.”
The power couple’s spiritual retreat and their public reflections mark a poignant moment — not just the end of a glorious chapter in Indian cricket, but also a reminder of the deeper, personal journey behind the fame and applause.
