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Samson must keep Virat as role model: Manjrekar urges Sanju to focus on fitness
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New DelhiAug 7, 2026 11:28 AM IST Sakshi added that Kohli’s guidance extended beyond financial support. (Source: @sak_.shi/Instagram)Winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal is the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice and support from the right people. For Haryana boxer Sakshi Chaudhary, one of those people was Virat Kohli. Chaudhary, who struck gold in the women’s 51kg (Flyweight) boxing event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, revealed that the former India captain backed her through the Virat Kohli Foundation during an important phase of her career. The boxer, who served in the Indian Army, made a remarkable comeback after missing both the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Asian Games.Speaking to IANS after her victory, Chaudhary credited Kohli for motivating her throughout her journey. “I started boxing after watching Vijender Singh, but in my journey, Virat Kohli has also supported me a lot. He has been my sponsor. So I would like to thank him too,” Chaudhary said. She added that Kohli’s guidance extended beyond financial support. According to Chaudhary, the cricket icon encouraged her to stay calm, avoid unnecessary pressure and simply focus on delivering her best performance inside the ring. Watch the video: Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Sakshi Dhanda said “Virat Kohli has also supported me a lot throughout my journey. He has been my sponsor & I would like to thank him as well”. [IANS] – A BIG SALUTE TO KOHLI 🫡❤️ pic.twitter.com/kzJ7N4UJHv — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 7, 2026 The video of her acknowledging Kohli’s contribution has since gained traction on social media, with many users applauding the cricketer for helping athletes outside the world of cricket. “Kohli promoting and supporting other sportspersons is sign of a true champion,” one user wrote. Another commented, “So called ‘fans’ don’t know the reality and keep on blaming our players for doing nothing about other sports. Even BCCI is doing good to improve sports other than cricket in India. I am sure many of our current and past cricketers are doing silent job to make other sports grow in India, just like Virat Kohli.”Story continues below this ad A third user added, “This is pure class. While dominating on the field for years, Virat has quietly been backing athletes outside cricket through his foundation — giving real support when it mattered most. Sakshi Dhanda (Chaudhary) winning Commonwealth Games gold and openly thanking him as her sponsor is the perfect reminder of the impact that kind of help can have.” “Such encouragement by Sports icons motivates and boosts aspiring athletes and players,” another social media user wrote. Chaudhary also opened up about the discipline required ahead of the tournament, revealing that she had to shed around 3-4 kg to qualify for the 51kg weight category. Sticking to a strict diet was part of the process, but after returning home with the gold medal, she was looking forward to enjoying her meals again. “Now that I’m home, I’ll eat well,” she said.
New DelhiJul 22, 2026 03:50 PM IST Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma visit Premanand Ji Maharaj. (Photo: Varinder Chawla/Instagram)Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, who often visit Premanand Ji Maharaj’s ashram, were clicked exiting the ashram in Vrindavan on Wednesday, July 22. Virat and Anushka had covered their face with masks during their visit. Virat was wearing a brown shirt with beige coloured pants and Anushka was seen wearing a white and blue kurta set and a dupatta wrapped around her head. Both Virat and Anushka had tilaks on their foreheads. Virat and Anushka previously visited Premanand Ji Maharaj’s ashram in February, shortly after their son Akaay’s birthday. Before that, they had visited the ashram in December 2025. At the time, the spiritual guru spoke to them about enlightenment and said, “Make it your goal that even if in this life or the next one, you decide, but I want to meet you. You have shown all the happiness in life; I don’t want that now, I want you. And if I get to see you, all the happiness will come along with you in your feet. Stay joyful and happy.” Anushka replied with a smile on her face, “Hum aapke hain Maharaj ji, aap humare (we are yours, you are ours).” The spiritual guru responded, “Hum sab Shree ji ke hain (We all belong to God).” Anushka and Virat have been married since 2017. The couple tied the knot at an intimate ceremony in Italy and threw a massive, star-studded reception in India. They are parents to daughter Vamika and son Akaay, and have reportedly moved to the UK. The couple has stayed mum about their residence outside of India. Previously, Madhuri Dixit’s husband Dr Sriram Nene had shared with YouTube channel Beer Biceps that Anushka and Virat were planning to move to London. “We had a conversation with Anushka one day, and it was very interesting. They were thinking about moving to London because they can’t enjoy their success (here). And we appreciate what they go through, because anything they do attracts attention,” he said.Story continues below this ad Anushka has not worked in Hindi films since 2018’s Zero. She finished shooting for Chakda Xpress, the biopic of cricketer Jhulan Goswami, but the film never saw the light of day. Anushka stepped away from her production house, Clean Slate Filmz, in 2022.
Sanju Samson of India plays a shot during the 4th T20I match between India and New Zealand at Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India, on January 28, 2026. (CREIMAS for BCCI) Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar said that the only reason which is valid for dropping Sanju Samson is his fitness, urging the opener to follow in Virat Kohli’s footsteps when it comes to being in peak physical condition. Sanju has been excluded from India’s upcoming series vs Zimbabwe and has played just the first match in the ongoing 5-match series vs England. In the second and third match, the prodigal Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been preferred over Samson. “Only reason that is valid for Samson dropping is his fitness. If that’s the reason, it’s a fair call. Samson not helping his cause by not being in peak physical condition. At this stage of his career, Samson must keep Virat as his role model,” Manjrekar said on X.India head coach Gautam Gambhir opened up on the team’s decision to drop Sanju from the playing XI during the ongoing England series. Shortly after India were bundled out for a paltry 76 – their second-lowest score ever – in response to England’s 201 at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, Gambhir reviewed the decision to omit Samson from the batting order. The 125-run defeat marked the world champions’ first defeat by more than 100 runs. “The first thing is that regarding the clarity Sanju Samson needed, he has been given that from my side. That’s a conversation strictly between the player and the head coach. That conversation is not going to come outside,” Gambhir told reporters after the latest defeat. “Regarding Sanju, we are very clear what he has done for India has been phenomenal and sometimes you just have to look at the form of a certain player. There is no hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series,” he added. While India’s selections have come under the scanner following their extended winless streak, Gambhir backed the calls made by the management, insisting that players must earn their long ropes in the XI. Story continues below this ad “International cricket is about results, so whatever we feel is the best combination to give us that result, we play that combination and that playing XI. I’ve always been a big believer that everyone needs to earn their place and the right to play for India.” © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
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