India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is currently out of action due to injury, was recently seen with a shaved head as he visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. He was joined by his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, and the two attended the temple’s Suprabhatam Seva, one of the rituals before seeking the blessing of Lord Venkateswara. The photos and videos of the couple went viral on social media, attracting attention from fans.
Pandya’s look and attire were seen as a mark of faith and gratitude. The 32-year-old didn’t reveal the reason behind his bald head, but his visit to the temple has sparked buzz online.
VIDEO | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh: Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya offers prayers during the Suprabhata Seva at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/HKdtPmcyC3
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 2, 2026
Hardik Pandya getting ready for international cricket
The temple visit has come at a time when the player is working hard to recover from his latest fitness concern. The all-rounder was at the BCCI’s COE in Bengaluru for rehabilitation before he injured himself. The veteran was impacted by injuries during the Indian Premier League 2026. When everything was falling in place for the player, a new setback ended his chances of playing in the three-match ODI series in England. Pandya has shifted his base from Mumbai to Bengaluru to live near the Centre of Excellence to recover quickly and improve his chances of a quick return to the national fold.
According to reports, Hardik has almost completed his second rehab period and could be in contention for India’s white-ball bilateral assignment pending clearance from the medical staff.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the selection panel have decided to include Hardik only in the ODI squad, considering the importance of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. There is a possibility of him not playing T20Is until the ICC event in the African continent gets over. He was last seen in action for the Mumbai Indians in the 19th season of the tournament.
Despite his absence, the team management is backing the player as he is India’s best all-rounder at the moment and his contributions across departments can help the team win big and crucial matches.
The 32-year-old has been a top performer in the batting and bowling departments over the years and was instrumental in India’s success at the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026. With his rehabilitation on the verge of completion, cricket lovers will be hoping that he stays fit for a long time. His return would provide a major boost to India’s chances of dominating the rivals in the fifty-over format.