'Completely false': Virat Kohli's team rejects Rs 5 crore claim over Premanand Maharaj ashram visits
Mumbai/Vrindavan: Virat Kohli's team has denied a claim that the cricketer was paid money to visit spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan. In a statement, his spokesperson called the allegation "completely false, baseless and factually incorrect."
The claim was made by Falahari Maharaj, president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas. He alleged that Rs 5 crore was spent to get Virat Kohli to the Radha Keli Kunj Ashram, so that Premanand Maharaj would gain more popularity. No evidence has surfaced to show that Virat Kohli or his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, received any such payment.
Virat Kohli's team said the cricketer goes to meet Premanand Maharaj only because of his faith and respect for the saint. It also asked the media to check facts before publishing or repeating such statements and to report responsibly.
Kohli and Anushka's visits
The couple first visited the ashram on January 4, 2023, and have returned several times since. They kept visiting even after Kohli moved away from T20 international cricket.
Why the ashram is in the news
The allegation came while the ashram is already under scrutiny over the death of a disciple, Rasik Dulari. He died after falling from the fourth floor of the ashram building on September 25.
Mathura police are looking into whether he was under mental stress or suffering from depression. They are trying to understand how he lived before joining the ashram and how his behaviour changed afterwards. His old phone, a new SIM card, call records, chats and other digital data are being examined to find out whom he spoke to in his last days.
So far, the police have taken statements from 85 people in connection with the case.
On the cricket field
Virat Kohli was back in ODI action recently for India's three-match home series against the West Indies. He started well with an unbeaten 139 in Thiruvananthapuram. That knock took him past 15,000 ODI runs and only Sachin Tendulkar has reached that mark before him.
The next two games were quieter. He made 29 in the second ODI and was out for a duck in the third. India won the first two matches, but the West Indies took the last one in New Chandigarh by five wickets and avoided a clean sweep. Kohli finished the series with 168 runs.
His next assignment is likely to be India's tour of New Zealand in November. The ODI leg is due to start in Auckland on November 4, with games to follow in Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui. India will also play five T20Is and two Tests on the tour.
Kohli has already retired from T20Is and Tests, so ODIs are now his only format for India. He has also hinted that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his last.
Also Read | Rasik Dulari Sharan death: Fourth CCTV video shows final moments in Vrindavan corridor
- PTC NEWS
