Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya grabbed attention with his completely shaved head as he visited the Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in the early hours of Sunday along with his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma. The couple took part in the Suprabhata Seva and had darshan of Lord Venkateswara through the temple's protocol arrangements. After the darshan, the priests gave the couple Vedic blessings and presented them with sacred tirtha prasadam, following the temple’s usual customs.
Pandya was seen in traditional attire during the rituals. Photos and videos of the visit soon appeared on social media and began circulating widely. The trip came during a break from competitive cricket, giving him time away from the field before he returns for India’s upcoming international assignments.
Hardik Pandya has visited several prominent temples across the country at key points in his career. This latest visit to one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites drew attention from devotees and fans present at the shrine, with visuals from the day quickly going viral.
Hardik Pandya’s future with Mumbai Indians is under the spotlight ahead of IPL 2027
While the India all-rounder took a break from cricket to visit the Tirumala temple, talk about his IPL future has only grown louder. Reports claim the Mumbai Indians management is considering big changes to the squad after another disappointing campaign.
Mumbai, still one of the most successful sides in IPL history with five titles, has had a mixed run over the last three seasons. They finished well below expectations in 2024, bounced back to reach the playoffs in 2025, but failed to build on that in 2026. Another underwhelming season has stretched their title drought and pushed the management to take a hard look at the squad before the next auction cycle.
Pandya sits right at the centre of the conversation. He returned to Mumbai Indians in a high-profile trade from Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2024 season, was named captain, and has remained one of the team’s highest-profile players ever since. His performances and the side’s results have kept him under constant scrutiny throughout this second stint.
So far there has been no official word from either Mumbai Indians or Pandya about what comes next. Still, reports suggest the franchise is weighing several options as it tries to put together a squad that can finally end the long wait for another title. With the 2027 season still months away, Pandya’s future is set to stay one of the biggest talking points in the build-up.
