'Hunger for game is gone': Virat Kohli visits Hanuman Garhi temple with Anushka Sharma; internet seeks explanation on his 'spiritual' outings
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma¡¯s recent visit to Hanuman Garhi temple sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans questioning his focus after retiring from Test cricket. While critics claimed he¡¯s lost his passion for the game, others praised his spiritual journey.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma paid a visit to the revered Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya on Sunday morning, just days after their previous spiritual stop at Premanand Maharaj ji¡¯s ashram in Vrindavan. The couple¡¯s recent series of temple visits has sparked mixed reactions online, especially in light of Kohli¡¯s recent retirement from Test cricket.
While many fans supported the couple¡¯s spiritual journey, others on social media questioned Kohli¡¯s current mindset, with some claiming he¡¯s ¡°lost the hunger for the game¡± and ¡°has no sporting spirit left.¡± The criticism has led to debate among cricket followers, especially those who have followed the former India captain through years of high-performance cricket.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma¡¯s visit to Hanuman Garhi
On Tuesday, the celebrity couple was seen at the Shree Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya. In a video shared by ANI on X, Kohli and Anushka can be seen bowing their heads in reverence, receiving blessings from temple priests. They were greeted with garlands and shawls as devotees gathered around them.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visited Shree Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya. ???pic.twitter.com/KKo6kdFAFU
¡ª Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 25, 2025
Following the couple's visit, Sanjay Das Ji Maharaj, Mahant at Hanuman Garhi temple, said, "Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma have a deep love for spirituality, culture, God & Sanatana Dharma. They visited Lord Ram Lalla & then took blessings from Lord Hanuman. They also discussed spirituality & mythological things here."
#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: Sanjay Das Ji Maharaj, Mahant Hanuman Garhi says "Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have a deep love for spirituality, culture, God and Sanatana Dharma. They visited Lord Ram Lalla and then took blessings from Lord Hanuman. They also discussed spirituality and¡ https://t.co/zm26pJDk5X pic.twitter.com/z5yAKrdJ2Z
¡ª ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2025
Fans bash Virat Kohli for his frequent temple runs
The visit comes at a time when Kohli is seen embracing a more reflective phase of life, spending time with family, stepping back from longer formats of the game, and turning toward spirituality. However, this shift has not gone down well with the followers of his game, especially after his test retirement.
One X user bashed the cricketing legend, writing, "I didn't mean this is wrong; you should do it, but from the time he actually entered the path of bhakti (which is absolutely fine), his passion, his hunger towards the game, is gone."
Bc this lad has left everything on God
¡ª alonexf1?? (@alonexf1) May 25, 2025
I didn't mean this is wrong you should do but from the time he actually entered the path of bhakti (which is absolutely fine ) his passion his hunger towards the game is gone ?
Another wrote, "Kohli is gaining sympathy here and then will abuse the youth unnecessarily in the match; there is no use of such worship." "Now this is all he does... he's completely ruined his cricket career," one individual mentioned.
"All just for attention-seeking," added one X user. "Visiting temples is pointless if you can't remain calm," another netizen highlighted.
Visiting temples is pointless if you can't remain calm. pic.twitter.com/G3WTzreWbG
¡ª ??? ?????? (@jod_insane) May 25, 2025
However, some also came out in support of the RCB batter, praising him for embracing his spiritual side.
Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma visited at Hanuman Garhi Mandir in Ayodhya to seek blessings. ??
¡ª Jaipal Abhishek singh (@JaipalabhishekS) May 25, 2025
The man DOWN TO EARTH ? pic.twitter.com/atHsC0VZEW
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's Ayodhya visit! ??? Worship at Hanuman Garhi temple, a new chapter of spirituality after retirement from Test cricket. ? #ViratKohli #AnushkaSharma #Ayodhya #SanatanDharma #JaiShriRam #SpiritualSunday #????_??????_??????? #VeerAhirAlha pic.twitter.com/vLp7qQnl0O
¡ª Ravi Mahour (@raviiimahour) May 25, 2025
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is set to return to the field for Royal Challengers Bengaluru¡¯s clash against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday, as the team pushes to secure a spot in the top 2 ahead of the playoffs.
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