Former India captain Virat Kohli has strongly denied a viral claim that he was paid Rs 5 crore for visiting spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj’s ashram in Vrindavan, calling the allegation “completely false, baseless and factually incorrect.”
The claim surfaced on social media after Dinesh Sharma, popularly known as Falahari Maharaj, alleged that Rs 5 crore had been spent to bring Kohli to the spiritual leader’s ashram. However, there is no independently verified evidence or public payment record to support the allegation. Kohli’s spokesperson has now issued an official statement rejecting the claim and said the cricketer’s visits to Premanand Maharaj are rooted in personal faith.
“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 statement said.
“Mr. Virat Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj Ji purely out of his deep faith and reverence for Maharaj Ji. We strongly refute these claims and urge the media to exercise due diligence, verify facts before reporting or amplifying such statements, and report responsibly,” it added.
Kohli’s association with Premanand Maharaj has been public for several years. Kohli and his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, have visited the spiritual leader in Vrindavan on multiple occasions, with their meetings receiving considerable public attention.
The latest controversy has therefore centred on the alleged payment rather than whether Kohli visited the ashram. While the visits themselves are established, the Rs 5 crore claim remains unsubstantiated. On the cricket front, Kohli remains one of India’s most decorated batters. He has represented India in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, and continues to be a major figure in Indian cricket.
The controversy has once again brought scrutiny to Kohli’s public life, but his spokesperson has made the cricketer’s position clear: the allegation that he was paid to visit Premanand Maharaj’s ashram is false.
