Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav offer prayers at Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain

UJJAIN: Former Indian skipper and star cricketer Virat Kohli, along with spinner Kuldeep Yadav, offered prayers at Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Saturday.

The duo will feature in India’s third ODI against New Zealand in the series decider at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on January 18 after the visitors denied the Men in Blue the opportunity to gain an unassailable lead in the second match of the three-match series at Rajkot.

#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

After offering prayers at Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Kuldeep Yadav said, “It was a very good experience. It’s been 9 years since I first had darshan here. It brings a lot of joy and bliss. By the grace of God, everything is good, and if his grace remains, we will perform well in the World Cup”.

#WATCH | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: After offering prayers at Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Cricketer Kuldeep Yadav says, “It was a very good experience… It’s been 9 years since I first had darshan here. It brings a lot of joy and bliss… By the grace of God, everything… https://t.co/rhXRYN83ln pic.twitter.com/RmVfAtPsOk

— ANI (@ANI) January 17, 2026

Team India, who entered the second ODI after registering a thrilling four-wicket victory against the tourists in Vadodara in the series opener, faced a heavy seven-wicket drubbing at the hands of the Michael Bracewell-led New Zealand.

While India batter KL Rahul showcased his skills with an unbeaten 112-run knock, it was New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 131-run innings that helped the Kiwis go over the line and level the series 1-1.

Kohli earlier this week reclaimed the number 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings, replacing former Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Kohli’s first outing after reclaiming the number one ODI batting spot could yield just 23 in just 29 balls, but he became India’s leading run-getter against NZ in ODI history.

Now, in 35 ODIs and innings against NZ, he has scored 1,773 runs at an average of 55.4, with six wins and 10 fifties and a best score of 154. Behind him is Sachin (1,750 runs in 42 matches at an average of 46.05, with five centuries and eight fifties). (ANI)