NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli‘s spokesperson on Wednesday rejected claims that the Indian cricketer was paid Rs 5 crore for his first visit to spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan, calling the allegation “completely false, baseless and factually incorrect”.Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma are devotees of Premanand Maharaj and have visited his ashram in Vrindavan several times.The denial came after Falahari Maharaj Dinesh Sharma alleged that Kohli received Rs 5 crore for his first visit to the ashram in 2023.Responding to the claim, Kohli’s spokesperson said the cricketer’s visits were driven by his “deep faith and reverence for Maharaj Ji”.“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 in a statement.The spokesperson also urged media organisations to verify such claims before reporting or amplifying them.“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 said.Kohli’s association with Premanand Maharaj has continued through major phases of his cricket career, including after his Test retirement in 2025.The cricketer and Anushka have continued to visit the ashram, with their most recent reported visit taking place in July this year.(With PTI inputs)
