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Mohammad Shami strongly defends Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s spiritual visits to Premanand Maharaj, stating no one should object to their faith.
Mohammed Shami, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli.
(PTI, Screengrab)
India pacer Mohammad Shami has come out in support of Virat Kohli after the former captain faced criticism on social media for his frequent spiritual visits with wife Anushka Sharma, saying he sees no reason why anyone should object to the couple practising their faith. Shami also defended Anushka in claims that she has ‘made’ Kohli spiritual, saying even if that was the case, it was nobody’s business.
Kohli and Anushka often visit spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj in Vrindavan, with the latest instance being after India’s ODI series against England last month. The cricketer-actor power couple has also been seen taking their two kids, Vamika and Akaay, to the spiritual leader and other temples all around India, asking for blessings and advice about their lives.
Shami, in an interview with Times Now Navbharat, said this was not a new thing, adding that Kohli had always been particular and passionate about his faith.
“Ye acchi cheez hai. Yeh achanak nahi hai, voh bohot passionate hai aur apni cheezo ke liye particular hai aur time deta hai, system se rakhta hai. (It’s a good thing. This isn’t something that has happened suddenly. He is very passionate, is particular about what he believes in and makes time for it, with a proper system),” Shami said.
Shami added that Kohli keeps everything extremely organised even in his hotel rooms, showing how particular he is about
“As far as Maharaj is concerned, I don’t think anyone needs to point fingers or raise objections. If you believe in something, you should give it priority too.”
“Agar jodi hai aur vo karti bhi hai toh kya dikkat hai kisiko? Mujhe samajh nahi aata.” (If they are a couple and even if she has done it, what problem does anyone have? I don’t understand.)
In 2021, Kohli had similarly become Shami’s shield when he was being targeted for his religion by social media bigots after a bad day against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
Kohli was in action last month and enjoyed a productive ODI series against England despite India’s 1-2 defeat, scoring 144 runs in three matches at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 109.09, including two half-centuries. The veteran batter is now expected to return to action during India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies, scheduled from September 27 to October 3.
August 04, 2026, 21:27 IST
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