Virat Kohli’s Team addresses controversy over alleged paid visit to Premanand Maharaj

Star India batter Virat Kohli’s team has refuted claims that the cricketer was paid INR 5 crore to visit spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan. Kohli has been regularly visiting Premanand Maharaj’s ashram with his Bollywood actor wife, Anushka Sharma.

Clips of the celebrity couple seeking blessings from the spiritual leader are often widely shared on social media. Recently, Dinesh Sharma, popularly known as Falahari Maharaj, alleged that INR 5 crore was spent to bring Kohli to Premanand Maharaj's ashram. 

However, Kohli’s team has completely denied the claims, calling them ‘baseless’. It also clarified that the cricketer visits Premanand Maharaj out of pure devotion and respect for the leader.

"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. Mr. Virat Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj Ji purely out of his deep faith and reverence for Maharaj Ji," Virat Kohli’s spokesperson said in a statement as quoted by India Today. 

“We strongly refute these claims and urge the media to exercise due diligence, verify facts before reporting or amplifying such statements, and report responsibly,” the statement added.

Kohli completes 15000 runs

Meanwhile, Kohli recently played in the three-match ODI series against West Indies, where he scored his 55^th century in the format in the first match. He also completed 15000 runs in ODIs, becoming the fastest batter to complete the milestone, surpassing his idol Sachin Tendulkar.

However, his century was followed by two low scores, including a duck in the final match in New Chandigarh. He finished the series with 168 runs from three innings at an average of 84 and a strike rate of 155.55.

Kohli will be next seen in the five-match ODI series in New Zealand, beginning on November 4.