Will marriage with Anushka Sharma cool down fiery Virat Kohli? Can’t tell, says Rohit Sharma

Virat Kohli will be back in the hotseat as the Indian cricket team embarks on their long tour of South Africa on Wednesday. Rohit Sharma has wished Kohli well after his wedding with Anushka Sharma.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have hogged most of the limelight at the end of India’s extended home season with their much-celebrated marriage. And on the field, despite the absence of their regular captain, the Indian cricket team maintained similar intensity and performances to hammer Sri Lanka in the limited-overs leg of their India tour.

Virat Kohli is held back by keeper Wriddhiman Saha as he has words with Steve Smith day four of the first Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 12, 2014. Rohit Sharma feels marriage with Anushka Sharma could mellow down the Indian cricket captain. (Getty Images)

Rohit Sharma was at the helm of India’s brigade that once again handed Sri Lanka crushing defeats in the ODIs and T20s.

After a minor blip in the first ODI — wherein India suffered a shock defeat — Rohit Sharma led India’s charge with his record third double ton in ODIs at Mohali, to finish the year on a high with series wins.

Rohit Sharma with his wife Ritika Sajdeh after winning the second one-day international cricket match against Sri Lanka in Mohali on December 13, 2017. Rohit Shama scored an unbeaten double-century to celebrate his wedding anniversary in style. (PTI)

Rohit Sharma himself has been a changed man over the last few years, and being married for last two years to his manager Ritika Sajdeh, he reckons that it is the best thing that can happen to an individual.

“Marriage changes you completely,” said Rohit to Hindustan Times during an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

When asked if he thinks Virat Kohli would be a changed man post his wedding to Anushka Sharma, Rohit said, “It is very difficult to say… I don’t know much, probably only in South Africa I can say. (laughs)… it depends individually.”

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma at their wedding reception in Mumbai on December 26, 2017. The couple got married at a heritage resort in the Italian countryside of Tuscany on December 11. (AP)

Marriage does bring about certain changes, and when asked if the firebrand Indian cricket team captain may carry more maturity and calmness around him, Rohit said, “I guess so, I don’t know what it is going to be like for him, but I wish them good luck ahead because it is the most wonderful thing that can happen to an individual. I just wish them all the happiness ahead.”