Mane of the Match!

Whether its Virat Kohli's adventurous streak, KL Rahul's sharp bearded look or Krunal Pandya's bold cornrows hairdo during a recent RCB match...celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim reveals behind-thescenes of styling cricketers

- MAHIMA NAGARAJU

FOR IPL fans watching recent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) matches, Krunal Pandya taking the run up was an eye-catching moment not just for the anticipation of the star bowler taking a crucial wicket, but for the bold braided hairstyle he sported.

Revealing the story behind the look which Pandya first rocked in the nail-biting match against Mumbai Indians (MI), celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim says, “He has been growing out his hair and wanting a new look without cutting it short. It was his idea to do cornrows but the timing wasn’t aligning. Finally, the morning before the match, we took two and a half hours for it. When he went on the ground, it became quite the head-turner, everyone was noticing the new look, especially since the match had brother playing against brother [Krunal’s brother Hardik Pandya plays for MI].”

He adds, “He’s done cornrows before too, both brothers are attracted to Caribbean fashion and also like West Indian players—they love to keep things bold with chains, diamond studs, etc.”