One of the biggest stars of modern cricket, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, this week formally announced his retirement from Test cricket and closed the curtain on an out-of-the-box red-ball career that lasted for more than 14 years. The erstwhile India captain earned renown for his zeal, punctuality, and aggressive leadership culture. Kohli played 123 Tests and compiled 9,230 runs that included 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Kohli announced his retirement on Instagram, expressing gratitude toward fans, fellow players, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their blessings during his lifetime. The surprising move, popularly known as the “Reverse Retirement,” sealed the fate of an era for Indian cricket.
A Spiritual Shift: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma Return to Premanand Ji Maharaj Again
A day after taking this historic decision, Virat Kohli visited Shri RadhaKeliKunj Ashram in Vrindavan with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma. It was their third visit there to take the blessings of Premanand Ji Maharaj, a spiritualist revered for his sagacity and affinity with godly teachings.
Kohli and Anushka remained at the ashram for close to three hours, having lengthy conversations with Maharaj Ji. Reports indicated that Kohli was questioned by the spiritual guru, asking him if he was happy to which Kohli answered affirmatively, stating, “Yes, I am fine.” The duo listened carefully as Maharaj Ji lectured them on the essence of inner peace, detachment, and spiritual connection.
A Pattern of Seeking Peace in Silence
This visit was not an isolated spiritual experience. Kohli and Anushka had earlier visited the same ashram during a rough patch in Kohli’s form, just before he made a stunning comeback in the Champions Trophy, including a memorable century against Pakistan. The couple has also visited other holy sites such as Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, Neem Karoli Baba’s Ashram in Uttarakhand, and Vrindavan in January 2024.
These regular visits spot light Kohli’s changing life journey — from a fire-brand cricketer to a individual deeply concerned about self-introspection and spirituality.
‘God’s Grace Transforms Inner Thoughts’
In their recent encounter, Premanand Ji Maharaj imparted this strong message:
“God’s grace is neither wealth nor prestige. It is the change of your inner thought. When this changes, you break millions of cycles of birth and death and move closer towards liberation.”
This resonates with Kohli’s transformation. From chasing runs and records, the athlete now seems to be pursuing inner peace and purpose beyond the cricket field.
A New Chapter Begins
As Kohli sets out on this new chapter of life, he seems intent on balancing his private transformation with his public image. Whether he returns to white-ball cricket or takes another step into spiritual discovery is unclear. What is clear, though, is that Kohli’s path — from cricket to spirituality — is encouraging a generation of fans to turn inward and redefine success.