Mohammed Shami undergoes Hair Transplant ahead of Asia Cup: Sehwag to Kohli to Dhoni, cricketers who had it

Cricketers Who Had Hair Transplants: In a world where sports and glamour often go hand in hand, the physical appearance of athletes is given significant importance.

In recent times, there has been an increasing trend among cricketers to undergo hair transplant procedures to maintain their youthful looks. One such recent case is that of Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami who underwent this procedure ahead of the Asia Cup 2023.

Mohammed Shami's Hair Transplant Ahead of Asia Cup 2023

Mohammed Shami, one of India's leading pace bowlers, recently underwent a hair transplant procedure before his participation in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. The tournament will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where Shami will be spearheading the Indian pace attack along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

An image of the right-arm fast bowler from Bengal after undergoing the transplant procedure is going viral over social media. Shami - who was last seen in action during the WTC Final against Australia at The Oval - was trolled by his fellow India teammate Rishabh Pant for looking overage due to hair loss a couple of years back.

Two years after Rishabh Pant's funny birthday wish in 2021 where the witty wicketkeeper-batter asked him to do something about his hair, the Amroha (UP)-born cricketer has paid heed to the comment and went for a hair transplant.

This decision by Shami brings to light an interesting aspect of modern-day cricketers' lifestyle choices - why do cricketers opt for hair transplants?

Why Do Cricketers Undergo Hair Transplant?

The reasons behind cricketers choosing to undergo hair transplants are manifold. Firstly, cricket being a highly visual sport with extensive media coverage places players under constant public scrutiny. Their images are splashed across newspapers and television screens worldwide which can put immense pressure on them to look their best at all times.

Secondly, premature balding or thinning hair can have detrimental effects on one's self-confidence – something crucial for professional athletes who need high levels of confidence to perform at their peak level consistently.

Lastly, it's not just about vanity or maintaining a certain image; it's also about personal satisfaction and comfortability in one's skin. A full head of hair can make individuals feel more confident and comfortable about themselves both on and off the field.

Famous Cricketers Who Have Had Hair Transplant

This trend is not new nor limited only to the Indian cricketing fraternity but extends globally as well. Several renowned international cricket stars have opted for this route over time.

Virender Sehwag was perhaps one of the first famous cases from India when he openly discussed his successful experience with a hair transplant surgery back in 2012 which encouraged many others in similar situations.

Sourav Ganguly: The former Indian skipper had undergone this procedure as he too suffered a severe hair loss. The former BCCI president had a successful treatment after bidding adieu to international cricket.

Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers: Former South African cricketers Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers - who are regarded as the legends of the game - chose this path due to severe receding hairline issues.

Virat Kohli: The former captain of India and batting mainstay decided upon it relatively early in his career presumably as a preventative measure against genetic predisposition towards baldness prevalent within his family lineage.

Kohli - who commands a massive fan following - does a lot of hairdos and makeovers for brand endorsements. A receding hairline might not look well on Kohli, who is one of the most sought-after cricketers in the world by brands.

Hardik Pandya: Another notable example includes star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Hardik - who is considered one of the most stylish cricketers in the current Indian side - went for a treatment to restore his hair.

MS Dhoni: Arguably the most iconic figure in Indian cricket history, MS Dhoni also opted for a hair restoration procedure during the later stage of his career. Dhoni - who was known for his long brown hair during the early days of his international cricket career - considered undergoing a hairline transplant in 2020.

The Chennai Super Kings captain - who guided the team to their record-equalling fifth IPL title in the 2023 edition - got about 1000-1500 grafts of hair transplant and considering his age and hair progression, these (graft) figures are quite normal, as per experts.

Gautam Gambhir: The former India opener - who played a vital role in helping India lift the 2011 World Cup - opted for this procedure primarily due to aesthetic considerations. During an interview in 2009, the left-handed opening batsman was once asked about what is the worst thing about playing cricket. The Delhi cricketer quipped, "You lose hair mainly when you are an opening batsman."

Cosmetic procedures by athletes: Unnecessary indulgences or signs of vanity?

While some may view these cosmetic procedures as unnecessary indulgences or signs of vanity amongst professional athletes like cricketers; they serve important purposes beyond mere superficialities such as maintaining a positive self-image which directly affects overall performance levels besides providing personal contentment and satisfaction thereby enhancing quality life experiences off-field too.

As long as societal norms continue evolving towards greater acceptance of individualistic expressions of beauty standards based upon personal preferences instead of rigid traditional stereotypes, we're likely to witness more such instances future among sporting personalities globally regardless of gender divide.