Will Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma's son Akaay, born in London, be a British citizen?

EVER since ace India cricketer Virat Kohli and his celebrity wife Anushka Sharma welcomed the arrival of their second child Akaay, a boy, speculation is rife over the citizenship of the newborn since it was born in a hospital in London.

Fans discussed whether the power couple's son would inherit British citizenship due to his place of birth or remain an Indian citizen.

Sports Tak said in a report that Akaay Kohli's citizenship status doesn't secure him an automatic British citizenship. As per regulations governing citizenship in the UK, birth in that country doesn't guarantee citizenship. At least one parent of the baby needs to have a British citizenship or have acquired settled status following a prolonged stay.

Also, if a child is born outside the UK to parents who are British citizens, they may become eligible for the country's citizenship based on their parents' citizenship status.

Read: Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma welcome their second child ‘Akaay’, a boy

Akaay, despite his birth in London and the fact that his parents own property in the UK capital, doesn't meet the citerion of acquiring British citizenship. He will possess a UK passport but will be recognised as a citizen of India.

The report also said that if a child does not receive British citizenship by birth, one can still apply for registration as a British citizen with the home office. Given his birth in the UK, Akaay could be eligible for registration as a British citizen, provided he manages to resides there until at least the age of 10.

Read: India pick squad for final three Tests against England; no Virat Kohli for rest of series

The couple's first child Vamika, a girl, was born in Mumbai in January 2021. Kohli, who skipped the entire Test series at home against England at the time of Akaay's birth, also missed three of the four Tests in an away series against Australia at the time of his daughter's birth.

Kohli and Sharma announced the arrival of their second child on social media platforms, five days after Akaay's birth. They said, "With abundant happiness and our hearts all of love, we are pleased to inform everyone that on 15th February, we welcomed our baby boy Akaay & Vamika's little brother into this world! 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. Love & Gratitude. Virat & Anushka."