It wasn't just Hardik Pandya's visit to the Tirumala temple that caught fans' attention on Sunday—it was his completely shaved head. The India all-rounder's dramatic new look quickly became the talking point after photos and videos from the pilgrimage surfaced online, triggering a flood of reactions across social media.

Pandya was accompanied by his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, as the two offered prayers at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. Dressed in traditional white attire, the couple was seen seeking the blessings of Lord Venkateswara.

While temple visits by cricketers are not unusual, Pandya's transformed appearance sparked immediate curiosity. Devotees at Tirumala often offer their hair as an act of faith and gratitude, though the India star has not spoken publicly about the reason behind his shaved head.

The visit also comes at an important point in Pandya's career. The all-rounder has been sidelined since the 2026 IPL season after first dealing with back stiffness and later suffering a thigh injury.

His absence forced him to miss India's limited-overs series against Afghanistan, the ODI and T20I tour of England, and the white-ball series in Zimbabwe. Pandya has not featured in competitive cricket since captaining Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026, where the five-time champions failed to reach the playoffs.

As images of his temple visit continue to circulate online, it is Pandya's unexpected new look, more than anything else, that has become the biggest talking point among fans.

With ANI inputs