Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma leave for Italy; family joins them as wedding rumours gain currency

Amid growing speculations of a wedding, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma took off for a holiday, late on Thursday night. While Anushka took a flight from Mumbai, Kohli was spotted arriving at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport late at 11.30pm to take a 2.45am flight. 

Rumour mills suggest that the Phillauri actress and the India cricket captain will tie the knot over the weekend in the Italian city of Milan. 

While there has been no confirmation from either side, social media was sent into a frenzy after reports emerged of the actress's family joining her on the trip. The actress was spotted at Mumbai airport with her father Ajay Kumar Sharma, mother Ashima Sharma, and brother Karnesh Sharma at the airport. 

Padmavati actress Deepika Padukone was also spotted at the Mumbai airport late last night, although there is no confirmation if she was headed in the same direction as the Sharma family. 

Kohli had recently asked for a 'break' from the Indian cricket team's schedule citing 'personal reasons'. The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) seems to have approved the vacation for the captain after the recent conclusion of the test series with Sri Lanka. The team still has a three-match ODI series and a T20 international on the schedule. Kohli is unlikely to be a part of it. 

Reports suggest that several members of Kohli's family and friends have already left for Italy. Network18 also pointed out that Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, had also excused himself from a key match in the U-23 CK Nayudu tournament in Delhi. 

While the couple has not been shy of their relationship, they have refrained from setting a date on the marriage. The two were spotted at the reception for former India cricketer Zaheer Khan and actress Sagarika Ghatge in November. The India cricket captain mentioned on the chat show 'Breakfast With Champions', that he often turns to Khan for advice about relationships. Earlier this week, PTI quoted Anushka's spokesperson as saying: "There is absolutely no truth to it [wedding]." 

However, reports have suggested an increasing possibility of the statement being a red herring, considering the profile of the couple in question. 

But the greatest proof of a possible wedding is the presence of pandit (priest) Anant Baba from the Anant Dham Atmabodh Ashram in Haridwar, who was also spotted at the airport. Last year, Kohli and Anushka had visited Haridwar together. 

The presence of the pandit has only fortified the story behind the rumours. By all measures, the wedding, if it takes place, will be a quiet, family affair. 

The rumours of Kohli and Anushka's engagement/wedding began late last year after the two spent New Year's eve together in Uttarakhand. After the picture of the couple posing with the pandit at the Anant Dham Atmabodh Ashram emerged, Twitter jumped to the conclusion of the two being married. However, Kohli put out a tweet refuting the rumours.