"Can I get my girlfriend in here?" - Ravi Shastri reveals about a special request made by Virat Kohli during India's 2014-15 tour of Australia
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has recalled how Virat Kohli requested him to allow his then girlfriend Anushka Sharma to join him in Australia during the 2014-15 tour. As per BCCI's rules, Indian cricketers' girlfriends weren't allowed to travel with the players. Kohli, though, made a special request to then head coach Shastri, who convinced the BCCI to relax the rule for him.
Anushka is currently in Australia with Kohli. After dating for a few years, the celebrity couple tied the knot in December 2017. Their daughter Vamika was born in January 2011 and son Akaay in February 2024. The adorable chemistry between Kohli and Anushka was on display during the Perth Test as Kohli blew kisses to his wife after reaching his hundred in the second innings.
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Shastri revealed his role as head coach in ensuring that Anushka could join Kohli in Australia during India's 2014-15 tour. The former all-rounder recalled:
“I remember when I was the coach in 2015 ... he (Kohli) wasn't married then. He was dating Anushka, and he came to me and said you know only wives are allowed, but can I get my girlfriend in here? I said sure. He said no, the board isn't allowing it. So I made the call, and she came up and joined him."
Shastri added that Kohli scored a brilliant 169 in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne after Anushka's arrival Down Under to join the player.
“In the first game, in the Boxing Day Test, he got 160 and at the end the scenes were same. The flying kiss went out just like yesterday. She's been a big support for him,” Shastri said.
Kohli was named the Test captain during the 2014-15 tour of Australia after MS Dhoni announced his shock retirement from the format after the Boxing Day Test.
"Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin" - Virat Kohli after Perth ton
Kohli came into the Test series against Australia under a lot of pressure. The 36-year-old had struggled during the three-match Test series at home against New Zealand, which the Kiwis won 3-0. The right-hander scored under 100 runs in six innings. He, however, notched up a sublime ton in the second innings in Perth.
"Yeah, Anushka has been right by my side through thick and thin. So, she knows everything that goes on behind the scenes - what goes on the head when you don’t play as well or make a few mistakes. I just want to contribute to the team’s cause, I am not a guy who wants to hang around just for the sake of it," Kohli said after his memorable knock.
India went on to beat Australia by 295 runs in the first Test in Perth, registering their biggest Test victory in the country by margin of runs and third highest overseas.