Cricketers have gone just beyond playing some brilliant cricket on field and upped their style game through #BreakTheBeard, sporting slick and stylish beard looks. What began with IPL 2017, saw Kabaddi players also join the bandwagon with new well-groomed facial hairstyles. The excitement was evident even during this year’s IPL when New Zealand’s Kane Williamson created his own #BreakTheBeard video.
If that was the story so far, we have proof that the trend is still going strong and has, in fact, gone international. #BreakTheBeard, which started in India last year, has broken boundaries, thanks to the Asia Cup with Pakistan and Sri Lankan players joining this raging trend.
It started off rather cutely with Sania Mirza requesting hubby Shoaib Malik to ‘come back soon’ after playing the Cup, but without the stubble.
And Shoaib, the adorable husband and father-to-be, happily obliged his begum. He was back with a rather smart look and a surprise for the little one at the end of the video.
His new look and match-winning performance on Friday night against Afghanistan is winning hearts all over.
Shoaib was not the only Pakistani cricketer. Giving him company were his teammates Shadab Khan and Mohammed Amir. Shadab urged his followers to “break boundaries” as he unveiled his sharp French-beard look.
Aamir, quite like Shoaib, dedicated his new and improved look to his wife.
This certainly looks like an off-field #BreakTheBeard battle. The original #BreakTheBeard boy Shikhar Dhawan unveiled his new look and joining him was Yuzvendra Chahal, India’s spinning sensation who was seen sporting an anchor beard.
Indian Cricketers are now official advocates of playing smart and looking smart.
Who would’ve thought that India and Pakistan, known to be fierce rivals on field, would be brought together by an internet trend? Virender Sehwag too acknowledged this in his trademark tongue-in-cheek style.
#BreakTheBeard has clearly gone beyond borders and is breaking boundaries this Asia Cup. Not just Pakistani cricketers, Sri Lankan ones too have taken up the challenge. Check out Lasith Malinga’s makeover, he shaved his beard after 10 long years.
Malinga surely inspired his team captain Angelo Mathews to join the #BreakTheBeard boys club.
Commenting on the look changes of cricketers, India’s top celebrity grooming expert Aalim Hakim says, “Currently, #BreakTheBeard is one of biggest trends in the male grooming space in India. I have had men come to my salon to try different styles and do away with the beard. Men think that it’s only about the clean-shaven look but ‘Break The Beard’ gives them a chance to try different styles which accentuates their facial structure. They in turn also receive positive reaffirmation from people around them. It’s time they become confident of their faces and do away with the heavy beard which covers it.”
#BreakTheBeard has been talk of the country and here it is today, taking the world by storm. It has broken boundaries, brought countries together and almost turned into a movement. It would be really exciting to see where this trend goes from here!
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)