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India National Cricket Team batting great Virat Kohli's spokesperson has rejected claims that the cricketer was paid INR 5 crore to visit spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan.
The allegation surfaced after Dinesh Sharma, popularly known as Falahari Maharaj and president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, claimed that money was spent to bring Kohli to the ashram.
Virat Kohli faced allegations of being paid INR 5 crore to visit Premanand Maharaj's ashram
The controversy began after Falahari Maharaj made the allegation in connection with Premanand Maharaj's ashram. According to his claim, people associated with a private company in Rajasthan had spent or offered ₹5 crore to bring Kohli to the spiritual leader's ashram.
The claim suggested that Kohli's presence was intended to increase the popularity of Premanand Maharaj and promote his spiritual work. However, the allegation has not been independently established.
No publicly available payment record, contract or other evidence has emerged to show that Kohli personally received INR 5 crore for visiting the ashram.
Kohli and his wife, Anushka Sharma, have visited Premanand Maharaj in Vrindavan several times. Their first reported meeting with the spiritual leader took place in January 2023, and they have returned to the ashram on multiple occasions since then.
Virat Kohli responds to ₹5 crore claim over Premanand Maharaj ashram visit
Kohli's spokesperson has now directly rejected the allegation, stating that the India batting superstar's visits were based on his personal faith and respect for Premanand Maharaj.
"We would like to categorically state that the claims made by Falahari Maharaj Dinesh Sharma in regards to Mr. Virat Kohli are completely false, baseless and factually incorrect," the spokesperson said.
"Mr. Virat Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj Ji purely out of his deep faith and reverence for Maharaj Ji," the spokesperson said.
Virat Kohli's team also urged the media to verify such claims before reporting or amplifying them. As of now, there is no independently verified evidence establishing that Kohli was paid ₹5 crore for his visits.
Virat Kohli to be next seen in action on New Zealand tour
Kohli featured in all three ODIs against the West Indies and finished the series with 168 runs. He made an unbeaten 139 in the opening ODI, followed it with 29 in the second game and was dismissed for a golden duck in the third match. India won the series 2-1 despite losing the final ODI by five wickets.
His next ODI assignment is set to come against New Zealand, with India scheduled to play a five-match series beginning on November 4 at Eden Park in Auckland.
The second ODI will be played in Wellington on November 7, followed by the third in Hamilton on November 10. Meanwhile, the final two matches are scheduled for Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15.
With Kohli now focused on ODI cricket and the 2027 World Cup approaching, the New Zealand series will give him another opportunity to build on his recent performances.
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