Following India’s shocking eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli chose to spend some family time instead of traveling with the team to Pune.

Kohli, along with his wife Anushka Sharma, attended a Krishna Das Kirtan event in Mumbai after the loss.

India, who had won the toss and batted first, registered their lowest-ever score at home, managing just 46 runs.

Despite a strong fightback in the second innings, where Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan struck a counter-attacking 136-run partnership, India couldn’t avoid defeat.

Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan’s Comeback Partnership

Both Kohli and Sarfaraz had disappointing first innings, getting out for ducks. However, they bounced back in the second innings with fifties on Day 3.

Kohli scored a fighting 70, becoming only the fourth Indian batter to reach 9,000 runs in Test cricket.

Sarfaraz Khan, on the other hand, pushed on and scored an impressive 150, helping India to a competitive second-innings total of 462.

India’s Struggle to Defend the Lead

India’s efforts weren’t enough, as New Zealand’s openers, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra, comfortably guided their team to chase down the target of 107 runs within the first session of Day 5, sealing an 8-wicket victory for the visitors.

Kohli Attends Kirtan With Anushka Sharma in Mumbai

After the match, while most of the Indian squad headed to Pune for the second Test starting on October 24, Kohli flew to Mumbai to be with his family.

He and Anushka Sharma later attended a spiritual event led by renowned kirtan singer Krishna Das, spending time away from cricket after the defeat.

The couple has previously attended similar events, including one in London earlier this year.

India’s Record in Pune

India has only played two Test matches in Pune, with a mixed record. They suffered a heavy loss to Australia in 2017 but bounced back with a commanding win against South Africa in 2019.