Cricketers' hair styling session

The IPL generated enough heat — on the field and off it — Rajasthan’s Munaf Patel, Bangalore’s Virat Kohli, Delhi’s Dinesh Karthik and Kolkata’s Ishant Sharma got together for much-needed haircuts. In cricket parlance, this could have been described as a boundary — four cricketers scoring together. With hairstylist Aalim playing umpire.  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Dinesh, who was leaving for the World Cup T20 to West Indies that night, said, “I don’t trust the salons there, people either have very short hair or they are taklu!” Ishant thought Munaf looked good in short, spiky hair but Virat looked the same!  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

While Dinesh, Munaf and Virat got involved in their new looks, Ishant fished out two cell phones and began texting and playing games on them, glancing up once in a while to check himself out in the mirror. Snip-snip-snip went the scissors over Ishant’s famous long locks while Munaf called out, “Aur chote karo iske baal!”  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Of himself, Ishant said, “Jaisa bhi hoga, yeh log mera mazaak hi udaayenge.” Why’s that? “Because that’s what they always do!” he said with a smile.  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Cricket was discussed, especially Sunday’s maha exciting grand finale. “I’m from Chennai, so I was happy for Dhoni, but both the teams played really well,” said Dinesh. (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Virat had mixed reactions while Ishant was more diplomatic. “The best team wins at the end of the day,” he said.  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Munaf Patel added, “Dhoni bada lucky hai yaar!” as the captain won the IPL season 3.  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli during the hair styling session at Hakim Aalim's saloon on April 26, 2010.  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Munaf Patel and Virat Kohli during the hair styling session at Hakim Aalim's saloon on April 26, 2010.  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Munaf Patel and Virat Kohli during the hair styling session at Hakim Aalim's saloon on April 26, 2010.  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)

Munaf Patel during the hair styling session at Hakim Aalim's saloon on April 26, 2010.  (BCCL/Shantanu Das)