Photo: @DeepAngle41/ X
In July 2024, eagle-eyed fans spotted something unexpected when Kohli was filmed at Mumbai airport, heading to London after India’s T20 World Cup win: his phone wallpaper wasn’t a picture of Anushka or his kids, but an image of Neem Karoli Baba. Apart from this, notably, he visited the Neem Karoli Baba Ashram in Nainital in November 2022, during a break following India’s T20 World Cup exit that year.
In 2016, when Virat Kohli was the Indian Cricket team’s vice-captain, at a press conference during the T20 World Cup in Mohali, ahead of India’s do-or-die clash against Australia, a reporter asked Kohli a rather personal question: whether he did “pooja-paath” to stay calm under pressure. “Do I look the pooja-path types?” he shot back, leaving the room in stitches. Kohli once described himself as not being the “puja-path type,” but that stance has clearly softened. He and Anushka have also been seen at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, with Kohli chanting “Har Har Mahadev” as he stepped out.
Cricket fans have watched Virat Kohli evolve for over a decade, but this particular transformation has little to do with his batting average. The same man once known for fiery send-offs, aggressive celebrations and a temper that flared at the smallest provocation now carries himself with a visible sense of calm, both on the field and off it. Kohli, then vice-captain of the side, didn’t miss a beat. It was a classic, unfiltered Kohli response, sharp, funny, and entirely dismissive of the idea that faith had anything to do with his game. This kind of shift doesn’t happen overnight, and fans who’ve followed his journey closely have slowly connected the dots, a temple visit here, a changed body language there, and small details that together tell a much bigger story. Many trace this change back to his personal life, particularly his marriage to Anushka Sharma, and a growing inclination toward spirituality that neither of them has hidden from public view. Here are five changes that fans have noticed in Kohli over the years, pointing toward his quiet transformation while leaning towards spirituality Fans have noticed a clear change in Kohli’s on-field aggression. The fist-pumping, chest-thumping outbursts that once defined his celebrations have given way to more composed reactions, even in high-stakes matches. Fans and commentators have mentioned that he now smiles more often during pressure situations instead of snapping at opponents or umpires, which shows a noticeable departure from the fiery persona he carried through much of his early and mid-career years on the pitch. The snippets quickly went viral on X, with users pointing out that the spiritual guru of Kainchi Dham is also known to have inspired figures like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. He is often seen visiting Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram and Premanand Maharaj ji with his wife Anushka Sharma and children at regular intervals. Despite his massive global stardom, Kohli’s spiritual outings and life in London have remained fairly low-key. He’s often pictured in simple attire during temple and ashram visits, and while dropping kids to school, away from the high-fashion image associated with his public appearances. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.
But today, Virat Kohli is an entirely different persona, drenched in faith, living a life away from the limelight abroad.