Virat Kohli and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav made a quiet stop at the Shree Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Saturday morning, seeking calm before India’s crucial third ODI against New Zealand at Holkar Stadium in Indore. The visit came with the series locked at 1-1 and a lot riding on the deciding game.
A peaceful pause ahead of the decider
The famous Mahakaleshwar shrine is just under two hours’ drive from Indore. Kohli, known in recent years for a growing spiritual bent that includes visits to temples in Uttarakhand and ashrams in Vrindavan, kept things low-key. Both players wore simple clothes, performed the customary rituals and spoke briefly with devotees outside the temple.
For Kuldeep it was a special moment — his first visit to the Ujjain shrine in nine years. After the darshan he reflected on the experience and its meaning for the future.
“It was a very good experience. It’s been 9 years since I first had darshan here. It brings a lot of joy and bliss. By the grace of God, everything is good, and if his grace remains, we will perform well in the World Cup.”
Match context: series level and momentum to regain
India arrived in Indore with their momentum dented after a seven-wicket loss in Rajkot. India posted 284, powered by a brilliant unbeaten 112 from KL Rahul, but New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell answered with a big 131 to chase down the target and level the series.
Now the focus shifts to Holkar Stadium — a ground that has produced high scores in the past. The deciding ODI will test India’s ability to bounce back at home and New Zealand’s appetite for an away series win.
Kohli’s personal milestones and form
This match is notable for Virat Kohli on multiple fronts. He returns to the field for the first time after climbing back to the top of the ICC ODI rankings. Though he managed just 23 in Rajkot, Kohli also reached a landmark — becoming India’s highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs. He has now accumulated 1,773 runs in 35 matches against the Black Caps at an average north of 55.
Key things to watch in the decider
- Kohli’s touch: Can he convert starts into a big innings after regaining the top ODI spot?
- KL Rahul’s form: His unbeaten century in Rajkot will give India a strong top-order base if he repeats it.
- Kuldeep’s spin: The left-arm wrist-spinner could be crucial on a pitch that may offer turn and help choke the chase.
- New Zealand’s middle order: Daryl Mitchell has proved he can win chases single-handedly; India must contain him early.
- Pitch and conditions: Holkar’s tendency for high totals makes captaincy and bowling plans decisive.
Whether the temple visit brings extra calm, confidence or simply a moment of reflection, Kohli and Kuldeep head into the big game hoping faith and preparation combine. For fans, the decider promises high drama — and whatever happens, it will be played under the watchful eyes of two players who paused for a spiritual refuel before the battle.