The new look of Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, sans his hair, is fuelling speculations among a billion-plus fans that he had vowed before the god to sacrifice the hair if India won the World Cup.
Dhoni, who once sported long locks, was even recommended by then-Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in 2006 to never change his hairstyle. Breaking protocol, Musharraf had observed: “I saw a placard [during an India-Pakistan match] which said ‘Dhoni have a haircut’. If you want to take my opinion, you look good... Don't have a haircut,” Musharraf had said while congratulating Dhoni for his blistering match-saving knock then.
However, Dhoni went on to chop off his long manes after winning the T20 trophy in 2007, and once again surprised all this Sunday with his clean-shaven head during an official photo session in the backdrop of the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
But while Dhoni may have shaved his head on “his Guru’s advice,” as one Indian newspaper put it, his fans have been seen going bald just to emulate their hero.
The new hairstyle is gaining popularity among Indian youngsters in the UAE.
Several saloon staff in Al Quoz said they have had enquiries from cricket fans for a new Dhoni styled haircut.
Saneesh, a barber in a Saloon in Al Khabayel Oasis in ALQuoz yesterday told Emirates 247 that the craze for the new style would increaseas days pass by.
According to him imitating Dhoni’s new hair style is apretty easy job. “Absolutely uncomplicated. You just have to cut really, reallyshort. You saw a similar hairstyle immediately after the film Ghajni was released,” he added.
Salons in India are doing brisk business as the look has is already an overnight sensation. “I’ve coined it the ‘Champion Look’, and it will be a huge hit. It’s a tribute to Dhoni and suits the weather too. Besides, people have always copied his looks, be it the long hair of 2007 or the spikes, up until recently,” renowned stylist Javed Habib said.
“For young Indians, it is all about stepping into Dhoni’s shoes. Get set to see a lot of skinheads popping up this season,” added stylist Rishi Raj.
And not just Dhoni, it was also the ever-sombre Sachin Tendulkar who fans spotted with dyed hair during the victory celebrations. The Master Blaster, who has always had black hair, decided to experiment with his look at the insistence of some teammates. “Sachin’s new hair colour is going very well with his complexion. Brown will dominate the hair colour scene this season and you will get to see it on runways and streets. And when Sachin has done it, it’s bound to be popular,” said a hairstylist.
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