Kohli and Kuldeep took part in Bhasma AartiImage Credit source: TV9
The last match of the ODI series between India and New Zealand is to be played in Indore on 18 January. The Indian cricket team has already reached Indore for this match and is busy in preparations. The entire team is sharpening itself before the deciding match of the series. Now, if you have come to Indore, it hardly happens that you don’t go to nearby Ujjain and visit the Mahakaleshwar temple. The same trend is going on in Team India also. After coach Gautam Gambhir, now the team’s star batsman Virat Kohli also reached the shelter of Mahakal and got absorbed in devotion. Along with Kohli, the team’s star spinner Kuldeep Yadav also became a part of this special philosophy.
Kohli-Kuldeep participated in Bhasma Aarti
A day before the match on Saturday 17 January Virat Kohli And Kuldeep Yadav reached the world famous Mahakal temple. During this time, both of them reached Baba’s court, had darshan and took blessings. These two legendary cricketers, who had come for Mahakal darshan, also participated in the Bhasma Aarti to be held at 4 am in the morning. According to the information, during this time Kohli and Kuldeep stayed in the temple courtyard for about 2 hours and while sitting in Nandi Hall, they watched the Bhasma Aarti of Baba Mahakal. During the Aarti, both of them also chanted Lord Shiva.
#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh | Former Indian Captain and Star Cricketer Virat Kohli, along with Kuldeep Yadav, offered prayers at Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. pic.twitter.com/GirLTB7j6I
— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2026
Obviously, when a superstar like Virat Kohli had arrived, the security arrangements in the temple were also special and there was a crowd of people meeting him as well. But Kohli and Kuldeep spent the entire time in devotion and darshan. Then before leaving, Mahakaleshwar Temple Committee presented Prasad and picture of Baba Mahakal to both of them. He had darshan of Baba Mahakal from the doorstep of the sanctum sanctorum and offered water. Earlier on Friday itself, Team India coach Gautam Gambhir and wicketkeeper KL Rahul had also reached the temple.
Will Kohli’s luck change in Indore?
Now the entire Team India including Kohli will hope that when they will face New Zealand at Holkar Stadium on January 18, the blessings of Mahakal will be with them and they will win the series by defeating the Kiwi team. This match will be very important for Kohli because this is a ground where his bat has not played at all in ODI cricket. Kohli, who has scored centuries in different grounds around the world, has scored only 99 runs in 4 innings at Holkar Stadium. Forget a century, he has not even scored a half-century with his bat. In such a situation, he will hope to improve his record on this ground.