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Virat Kohli and Kartik Sharma (Source: X)
After a wait of almost 500 years, the Ram Mandir has finally been inaugurated. Around 506 VIP guests, including sports legends, politicians, actors, and entrepreneurs, all were been invited to the iconic celebration in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The 161-foot-tall pink sandstone shrine opened when the figure was revealed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the ceremony for the Pran Pratishtha. Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma were both invited to the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya.
In a recent video that is going viral, fans rushed a Kohli lookalike whose name is Kartik Sharma for selfies, and the incident is going viral on social media. According to the video, fans were joyful to see the former captain lookalike, and there was a large crowd gathered around him, wanting to meet him and take photographs.
The former India captain was the first cricketer to be invited to the grand event and he even took special permission from the Indian Cricket Board to attend the event though he was absent. The 35-year-old batter was preparing for the upcoming 5-match Test series against England and he has travelled back home citing personal issues and will be missing the first two games of the series.
Here's the video:
This is what happened to duplicate Virat Kohli in Ayodhya. pic.twitter.com/LdHJhQzKqX
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) January 22, 2024
The Indian Cricket Board respects his decision: Jay Shah
As per the Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah's statement, "Virat Kohli has requested the Indian Cricket Board to be withdrawn from the first two Tests of the upcoming IDFC First Bank Test series against England, citing personal reasons. Virat has spoken to captain Rohit Sharma, the team management and the selectors and has emphasized that while representing the country has always been his top priority, certain personal situations demand his presence and undivided attention."
"The Indian Cricket Board respects his decision and the Board and team management has extended its support to the star batter and is confident in the abilities of the remaining squad members to step up and deliver commendable performances in the Test series."