Virat Kohli’s spokesperson has rejected claims that the cricketer was paid Rs 5 crore to visit spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj’s ashram. The team called the claim completely false, baseless and factually incorrect.

The allegation was attributed to Dinesh Sharma, known as Falahari Maharaj. He heads the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas. The claim appeared in a letter addressed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It alleged that a builder lobby and a Rajasthan-based company spent Rs 5 crore to facilitate Kohli’s first visit to the Vrindavan ashram in January 2023.

No public evidence supports the claim. No contract, invoice or bank record has emerged. Kohli’s team said he visits Premanand Maharaj purely out of deep faith and reverence. The team urged the media to verify facts before reporting such claims.

Kohli and Anushka Sharma have visited the ashram several times since 2023. Their last reported visit was on July 22, 2026.