Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the series-deciding third One-Day International against New Zealand in Indore, India stalwarts Virat Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav on Saturday visited the Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain to attend the revered Bhasma Aarti.
The visit came on the eve of a high-stakes encounter, with the three-match ODI series currently level at 1–1. India drew parity after a four-wicket win in Vadodara on January 11, a chase anchored by Kohli’s composed 93. New Zealand, however, bounced back strongly with a seven-wicket victory in Rajkot on January 14 to set up a decisive finale.
Temple authorities confirmed that Kohli and Kuldeep participated in the early-morning ritual, one of the most distinctive forms of worship at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. As the players emerged from the temple premises, Kohli acknowledged cheering devotees with a resonant “Jai Shree Mahakal,” drawing loud applause from fans who had gathered outside.
For Kohli, the visit carried personal significance. The former India captain has previously spoken about his spiritual inclinations and had paid a similar visit to the Mahakaleshwar Temple in 2023, shortly before scoring a memorable international century. Fans were quick to draw parallels, viewing the visit as a symbolic return to his spiritual roots ahead of another crucial match.
India and New Zealand will face off in Indore on Sunday, with both sides eyeing the series win. While the focus remains firmly on cricketing preparations, the temple visit added a moment of calm and reflection before the high-pressure contest.
-OdishaAge
