Former India captain Virat Kohli’s team has strongly denied a viral claim that the cricketer was paid Rs 5 crore for visiting spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan.
The claim, which surfaced on social media, alleged that Kohli received Rs 5 crore for his visit. However, no verified evidence has emerged to support the allegation.Kohli’s spokesperson issued an official statement calling the claim “completely false, baseless and factually incorrect” and clarified that the cricketer visits Premanand Maharaj out of personal faith and reverence.
“Mr. Virat Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj Ji purely out of his deep faith and reverence for Maharaj Ji,” the statement said.The spokesperson also urged the media to verify facts before reporting or amplifying such claims and to report responsibly.
Kohli’s association with Premanand Maharaj is well known. He and his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, have met the spiritual leader on several occasions.On the cricket front, Kohli has represented India in 123 Tests, 317 ODIs and 125 T20Is. He has scored 9,230 Test runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties.
In ODIs, he has amassed 15,109 runs at an average of 58.78, with 55 centuries and 79 fifties. In T20Is, he scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69, including one century and 38 fifties.