Long Chat Over Cricket: How Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma Were Asked to Leave a Café in New Zealand

Jemimah Rodrigues recalls no misbehaviour, just an unforgettable four-hour conversation that ended when café staff politely ushered the group out

Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues recently shared a funny behind-the-scenes story involving Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, and Smriti Mandhana during a tour in New Zealand. What began as a casual meet-up turned into a four-hour conversation that ended only when café staff politely requested the group to leave.

Speaking on The Bombay Journey show, Rodrigues revealed that she and Mandhana had initially approached Kohli to discuss batting techniques. After he agreed, they decided to meet at the hotel café, where Anushka also joined them.

The first half hour was all cricket talk. Rodrigues recalled how Kohli encouraged her and Mandhana, saying, “You both have the power to change women’s cricket, and I can see that happening.” Soon, the discussion moved beyond cricket into life and personal experiences.

What was meant to be a short meeting stretched into hours, with the group chatting like old friends. Rodrigues laughed while recalling that the only reason their heart-to-heart ended was because the café staff eventually asked them to vacate the space.

She described it as one of the most memorable conversations of her career, one that highlighted both Kohli’s mentorship and the warmth of his bond with Anushka.

Meanwhile, Virat and Anushka, who welcomed their second child, Akaay, in February 2024, are now believed to have shifted base to London for a quieter family life.