India star Virat Kohli announces birth of second child with partner Anushka Sharma

India star Virat Kohli and partner Anushka Sharma have announced the birth of their second child.

The batter has played no part in the ongoing Test series against England due to undisclosed personal reasons, with India currently leading 2-1 in his absence heading into this week’s Fourth Test. 

As his teammates flew from Rajkot to Ranchi ahead of that contest, which starts on Friday, Kohli and Bollywood actor Sharma revealed in a post on Instagram that their son, Akaay, had been born last Friday.

“With abundant happiness and our hearts full of love, we are pleased to inform everyone that on February 15 we welcomed out baby boy Akaay and Vamika’s little brother into this world,” it read. 

“We seek your blessings and good wishes in this beautiful time in our lives. We request you to kindly respect our privacy at this time.” 

Kohli initially withdrew from the first two matches of England’s tour, before the Board of Cricket for Cricket in India confirmed earlier this month that he would play no part in the series. 

The couple’s first child, Vamika, was born in early 2021, with Kohli flying home midway through India’s Test series in Australia in order to be at the birth.