The love story of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma is often described as a modern-day fairytale. What began as a casual meeting on the sets of a television commercial gradually turned into one of India’s most celebrated celebrity relationships.
Despite facing intense public scrutiny and online trolling over the years, the couple stood by each other and eventually built a happy married life together.
First Meeting on a Commercial Shoot in 2013
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma first met in 2013 during the shooting of a shampoo brand television commercial.
At the time, Virat was already emerging as one of India’s biggest cricket stars known for his aggressive style of play, while Anushka had established herself as a successful Bollywood actress.
According to reports and past interviews, Virat was nervous during their first interaction. Anushka arrived confidently wearing high heels, prompting Virat to jokingly ask if she could not find even taller heels. The light-hearted joke reportedly broke the ice between them and started their first conversation.
Over the three-day shoot, the two reportedly discussed their personal lives, struggles, and journeys to success. Coming from relatively simple family backgrounds, they gradually developed a strong connection.
Friendship Slowly Turned Into Love
Their friendship soon grew into a romantic relationship. Rumours about the couple first began circulating in 2014 after reports claimed Virat visited Anushka’s apartment following India’s South Africa tour.
Soon, pictures and videos of the two together began going viral on social media, attracting massive public attention.
In November 2014, the couple made one of their earliest public appearances together. During a match against Sri Lanka, Virat scored a half-century and famously blew a flying kiss toward Anushka sitting in the stands, making their relationship even more public.
Later, Virat openly stated that they never tried to hide their relationship and were simply two young people in love.
Supporting Each Other Despite Busy Careers
Despite their demanding professional schedules, the couple continued making time for each other.
Virat was often spotted visiting Anushka on film sets, while Anushka regularly attended cricket matches to cheer for him from the stands.
Their relationship gradually became stronger, with fans admiring the way both supported each other’s careers and personal lives.
Couple Faced Heavy Online Trolling
However, life in the public eye was not always easy for the celebrity couple.
During phases when Virat struggled with form on the cricket field, Anushka often became the target of online trolling and criticism. Social media users unfairly blamed her for Virat’s poor performances, with some even calling her “bad luck” for the cricketer.
The trolling became especially intense during 2015 and 2016, when Anushka faced several misogynistic comments and personal attacks online.
Despite the negativity, Virat publicly defended Anushka on multiple occasions and criticised people targeting her unfairly. Over time, their relationship became an example of mutual support and resilience in the face of public pressure.