Hardik Pandya goes bald, offers prayers at Venkateswara Swamy temple with girlfriend Mahieka
Tirumala, August 2
Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya offered prayers at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on Sunday.
The India all-rounder was seen with a completely shaved head as he sought the blessings of Lord Venkateswara. Pandya was accompanied by his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma.
Pandya and Mahieka were dressed in traditional white attire during their visit. Photos and videos of the two at the temple surfaced on social media and quickly attracted attention from fans.
Pandya's new appearance drew considerable curiosity among fans, with devotees traditionally offering their hair at the temple as a mark of faith and gratitude. Although the veteran all-rounder has not disclosed why he shaved his head, his temple visit has sparked widespread discussion on social media.
The temple visit comes at an important juncture in Pandya's career as he continues his comeback from injury. The all-rounder has been out of action since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season after initially dealing with back stiffness before suffering a thigh injury.
Pandya also missed India's limited-overs series against Afghanistan, the ODI and T20I tour of England, as well as the white-ball series in Zimbabwe. He has not played competitive cricket since captaining Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026, when the five-time champions failed to reach the playoffs.
— ANI
Reader Comments
People will make any excuse to bring religion into cricket. He shaved his head, went to temple, that's it. Doesn't guarantee he'll perform well in the next IPL. Let's focus on his fitness and return to form instead.
I love how the Indian cricket team players are often seen at temples. It's part of our culture and shows they value their spiritual side. But can we talk about how cute they looked in traditional white outfits together? 😄 Wishing Hardik a speedy recovery and a strong comeback!
Tirumala Tirupati is the most visited temple in the world, and it gives me pride seeing our cricketers connect with the divine before important comebacks. However, I wish he also focuses on proper physio and training. Prayers alone won't heal those injuries.
As an overseas fan, I find it fascinating how Indian athletes blend modern sports with ancient traditions. I think it's beautiful. Also, being honest - Hardik definitely pulls off the bald look better than most people. Haha.
Honestly, this is such a personal matter. If he wants to go bald and visit the holy temple, it's his right. Indian fans need to stop overanalyzing every little move these cricketers make. We should just focus on wishing him well and waiting for his comeback! 🙏
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.