Akash Deep Marries Akshita Raj, India Pacer Reveals Why MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma Were Not Invited For Wedding in Varanasi!

India's promising fast bowler, Akash Deep, embarked on a new innings off the field as he tied the knot with Akshita Raj in a splendid wedding ceremony held in Varanasi on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The cricketer shared heartwarming pictures and videos from the festivities across his social media platforms today, June 25, 2026, delighting fans and well-wishers. Ben Stokes Apologises to England Teammates Upon Return Ahead of ENG vs NZ 3rd Test 2026 Against New Zealand.

Akash Deep On Why Indian Stalwarts Were Not Invited

Akash Deep opened up about why he didn't invite Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma to his wedding. 😭 pic.twitter.com/XsWBVt51C7

— Jara (@JARA_Memer) June 25, 2026

The wedding, which took place at the luxurious Taj Ganges Hotel, was a traditional affair, bringing together close family, friends, and several notable personalities, including Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh and fellow cricketer Mukesh Kumar. However, the absence of some of India's biggest cricketing icons like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma did not go unnoticed, prompting the pacer to deliver a witty explanation that quickly went viral.

The Real Reason Behind the Star Absences

When playfully questioned by a guest about why the likes of Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit were not in attendance, Akash Deep responded with a candid and humorous remark. 'If I had invited them, do you think my wedding could have happened in Varanasi?' he quipped. This light-hearted reply highlighted the immense fan following and the potential security and logistical challenges that would have arisen if such high-profile cricketers had graced the occasion in the spiritual city.

His response, which translates to 'Then the wedding couldn't have happened here in Varanasi; it would have had to be held outside,' perfectly captured the essence of celebrity craze in India, suggesting that the couple opted for a more intimate celebration to ensure the smooth conduct of their special day.

Wedding Festivities and Details

The wedding celebrations commenced days earlier with traditional pre-wedding rituals held in Akash Deep's ancestral village of Baddi, located in Bihar's Rohtas district. The festivities began with the 'tilak' ceremony on June 21, followed by 'mehendi' on June 22, and 'haldi' on June 23, before the grand wedding day in Varanasi. 15-Year-Old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi To Use Separate Dressing Room During IND vs ENG T20Is As Per ECB Rules: Report.

Key Wedding Details:

Groom: Akash Deep (India Fast Bowler)

Bride: Akshita Raj

Wedding Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Main Venue: Taj Ganges Hotel, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Pre-Wedding Rituals: Baddi village, Rohtas district, Bihar (June 21-23, 2026)

Notable Guests: Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh, cricketer Mukesh Kumar

Reason for Star Absences: Logistical challenges due to potential crowd surges

A New Chapter Amidst Injury Recovery

The wedding marks a significant personal milestone for Akash Deep, who recently faced a challenging phase in his cricketing career. The right-arm pacer was ruled out of the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season due to a lower-back stress injury. Despite the setback, Akash Deep remains focused on his recovery and an eventual return to competitive cricket, making this new chapter in his personal life a source of much-needed joy and celebration.

As the couple embarks on their marital journey, fans and the cricketing fraternity extend their heartfelt congratulations to Akash Deep and Akshita Raj, wishing them a lifetime of happiness and togetherness.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 12:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).