Are Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma on the brink of a break-up?

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma

Fans of 'Virushka' - the couple nickname for cricketer Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma - went into a tizzy recently after they unfollowed each other on Instagram (Read more). Rumour mills suggested that Virat ended his three-year relationship with Anushka after she declined his marriage proposal, saying that she wants to currently focus on her career. Now, with Virat unfollowing the 'Bombay Velvet' actress on Twitter as well, is it a subtle message to the world about their 'break-up'?

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. Pic/AFP

Though actresses dating cricketers is not new, Virushka became one of the most talked about couples in recent times. They first met in 2013 while shooting for a commercial and soon rumours of them being a couple started doing the rounds. They stuck to the "good friends" stance until a year ago. In February 2014, Anushka-Virat were spotted walking hand-in-hand in Auckland where India was playing against New Zealand. Later that year, the actress admitted to dating the young Test captain. Ever since, the duo has been spotted together, holidaying or visiting each other's houses. He even stood up for her when she was blamed for his poor batting performance.

So now, by maintaining distance on social media, Virat has set the grapevine abuzz with rumours of trouble in paradise. However, his fan clubs claim that there is a problem with his Instagram account - it keeps blocking/ unfollowing those on his top-visited list. But he has unfollowed Anushka on Twitter too, technical error or not, we don't know. She, however, continues to feature in his 9.24 million-strong followers' list.

Despite repeated attempts, Anushka Sharma remained unavailable for comment.

Their love story as it happened
July 2013: The couple met on the sets of a commercial, and their chemistry in the ad sparked dating rumours.

January 2014: Buzz about them grew stronger when Virat went to Anushka's apartment in a car sent by the actress, instead of going to the designated hotel when Team India returned to Mumbai from its South Africa tour.

February 2014: Anushka and Virat were caught on camera walking hand-in-hand in Auckland where India was playing against New Zealand.

March 2014: The cricketer took off to Sri Lanka to meet the actress during the shoot of 'Bombay Velvet'.

April 2014: Virat was spotted yet again at the Jodhpur airport. Reports suggested that he was in the desert city to meet Anushka who was there for a monthlong shoot of her debut production venture 'NH10'.

October 2014: The couple made their first public appearance when they went to watch an Indian Super League game together.

>> Many entertainment websites reported that Virat and Anushka's parents have already met each other, thus fuelling wedding rumours.

November 2014: Although the lovebirds had been spotted together a number of times, they had never admitted to being in a relationship. However, their acceptance came in the form of Virat blowing a flying kiss towards Anushka in the VIP box after hitting a century against Sri Lanka. Later that month, both admitted to be dating. The same month, the actress sprung a surprise on the cricketer when she landed in Ahmedabad a day before his 26th birthday.

December 2014: The lovebirds rented a flat in Versova to spend quality time with each other whenever Virat was in Mumbai.

March 2015: Not only was Anushka present to watch her man in action, Virat too kept a tab on the actress' achievements. He took to Twitter to praise her performance in 'NH10'. He wrote: "Just watched #NH10 and I am blown away. What a brilliant film and specially an outstanding performance by my love @AnushkaSharma. SO PROUD :) (sic)." The actress, undoubtedly was exhilarated and responded by saying, "@imVkohli Thank You. SO happy. (sic)"

April 2015: Virat slammed critics for blaming Anushka for his poor performance and India's ouster from World Cup 2015. "At a human level, I would say I was hurt and the people who said those things and the way they said should be ashamed of themselves," he said. "In last five years, the number of matches I have helped India win and the consistently I have played is more than anyone else in the team," added the cricketer.

Also, rumours about a possible engagement began doing the rounds yet again when Anushka met Virat's parents while she was in New Delhi to attend Suresh Raina's wedding.

July 2015: The couple went on a holiday to South Africa and this came to light after the chef of the lodge commented on Virat's Instagram picture (Read more).
>> The couple made their first red carpet appearance together at a beauty awards gala and couldn't take their eyes off each other. Talking about Virat at the event she said, "He's my very, very good looking arm candy."

September 2015: Virat landed in London to meet Anushka who was busy shooting for Karan Johar's 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' (Read more).

November 2015: Anushka logged air miles to reach Mohali and celebrate Virat's 27th birthday (Read more).

October 2015: Media began speculating if the couple was finally ready to tie the knot when the actress and the cricketer were spotted coming out of a restaurant in the city along with Anushka's father. In the same month, an entertainment portal reported that the two were spotted house hunting in Worli. Gossip mills started speculating that the two were ready to move in together.

January 2016: News came in that Virat and Anushka unfollowed each other on Instagram sending their fans in a tizzy.