The Virat Kohli hairstyle changes from one look to another, but textured tops, shorter sides and a defined beard are recurring features. His lifted quiffs differ from the short-front, longer-crown cut that stylist Aalim Hakim described in May 2024. Choose a dated photo before asking a barber for a similar haircut.
You might recognise a Kohli cover drive almost instantly. Naming his haircut can take a little longer. One photograph shows a sweeping front with plenty of height; another has a compact hairline and texture concentrated further back. Both are recognisably Kohli, yet they ask very different things of a barber.
That is where a good reference matters. Whether you want a sharp look for college, work or the clubhouse after a weekend match, this guide breaks down four documented examples, explains their differences and helps you decide what to ask for.
What is the Virat Kohli hairstyle called
For the lifted looks, a textured quiff with faded sides is a useful description. For the May 2024 example, Hakim used the term reverse graduation: a shorter front with increasing length towards the crown. There is no single haircut name that accurately covers every version.
The terms describe different parts of the haircut. A quiff is a front section styled upwards. A fade is a gradual change in length at the sides or back. A crop has a shorter top or front treatment. A haircut can therefore combine a quiff and a fade without those words meaning the same thing.
| Dated look | The feature to notice | How to describe it |
|---|---|---|
| August 2022 | Front swept diagonally | Side-swept top with shorter sides |
| March 2024 | Lift and curve at the front | Textured quiff with a faded temple |
| May 2024 | Short front and fuller crown | Reverse-graduation textured crop |
| March 2025 | Lifted, separated front strands | Textured quiff with shorter sides |
Four Virat Kohli haircuts and what makes each different
The softer side sweep from August 2022
In this photo from Kohli’s official Facebook page, the front moves diagonally across the top, with moderate volume and shorter sides. The outline looks softer than the more pronounced quiff in the March 2024 example.
The appeal is its restraint: the hair has shape without the front becoming the main event. For someone who likes the Kohli influence but wants a quieter everyday style, this is a useful photograph to take to a salon.
Tell the barber you want enough length to sweep the front sideways, with the side bulk reduced and blended. The photo is a guide to the shape; it does not reveal a precise clipper guard or cutting length.
The lifted textured quiff from March 2024
The difference is easiest to see from the side. In Hakim’s March 2024 carousel, the front rises and curves back, while individual strands give the top texture. The temple is closely cut, but the back retains more length.
That contrast gives the hairstyle its shape: a fuller top above a much tighter temple. The beard adds another clear outline below it. Asking only for “short sides” would miss the longer back and the front’s curved lift.
The hair looks warm-toned in this photograph, but lighting and image processing affect colour. Use it as a shape reference rather than proof of a particular dye shade.
The short reverse-graduation crop from May 2024
This is the example where the stylist’s own explanation is especially valuable. In his May 2024 post, Hakim described a shorter, sharply defined front that becomes longer towards the crown, creating texture and movement.
Look at what happens above the forehead. There is no large front sweep. Instead, the hairline stays compact and the texture builds behind it. That changes the silhouette even though the sides are still short.
If this is the version you want, make the front-to-crown relationship part of the conversation. A request for a tall quiff would point the barber in a different direction. Show this specific photo and explain that the shorter front is the feature you like.
The return to front lift in March 2025
By the March 2025 photo shared by Hakim, the front is lifted again. Separated strands give it a spikier finish, while the shorter sides and shaped beard keep the profile defined.
“Textured quiff with shorter sides” describes what is visible. The caption does not establish an exact technical haircut name, guard number or styling product. Those details need a consultation, not guesswork from a photograph.
This is also a useful reminder that a strong reference does not have to be the newest image online. A dated photograph that clearly shows the shape you want is more helpful than an undated collage labelled “latest”.
Why the fade the top and the beard need to work together
Kohli’s haircuts are worth studying as a complete outline. Short sides make the top stand out by contrast. A lifted front adds upward emphasis; a compact crop draws more attention to the hairline and the texture behind it. The sideburn and beard then determine how that outline continues down the face.
A fade alone will not reproduce the whole effect. Nor will copying the beard while leaving a completely different top. Before choosing a cut, decide which detail attracts you: the height, the compact front, the texture or the clean transition into the beard.
How to ask your barber for a Virat Kohli haircut
Take one front-facing image and one side view from the same look. Then discuss five things: where the front should sit, how much crown texture you want, how short the temple should be, whether to retain length at the back, and how the sideburn should connect to the beard.
A useful request is: “I like the shape in this photo. Keep this amount of front lift, blend the sides, and adapt the back and beard connection to my hair. Please show me how to style it myself.” For the May 2024 crop, replace the front-lift request with a shorter front and more texture towards the crown.
Let the barber assess your density and growth direction before choosing lengths. A saved photograph communicates the goal far better than a supposedly exact “Kohli guard number” that the original post never supplied.
Making the hairstyle work for everyday life in India
Choose the version you will be comfortable wearing after the salon finish has gone. If you play cricket, try your styling routine around your helmet and normal training schedule. The shape that looks best immediately after styling may need a quick reset after a net session.
For a lifted quiff, ask the barber to demonstrate the direction of drying and how little product is needed to separate the front. For a softer side sweep, focus on controlling the direction without building unnecessary height. Avoid loading on more product simply because the first attempt does not resemble a studio photograph.
Fine hair, curls and different growth patterns will change the result. Preserving a little more side weight or adjusting the top can produce a better personal version than copying every visible detail. Start with the silhouette, then make it yours.
The fun detail hiding in the 2024 photos
The lifted quiff posted on 19 March 2024 and the short-front crop posted on 18 May 2024 appeared just 60 days apart. That is a substantial change in how the hair is shaped, within two posts from the same stylist in the same cricket year.
The dates are posting dates, rather than proof of the exact haircut appointments. Even so, they explain why fans searching for the “Virat cut” can arrive with completely different pictures. Before the clippers come out, settle which version you mean.
A quick word on the latest Virat Kohli hairstyle
The examples above are dated references, not a claim about what Kohli is wearing today. For a current appearance, check his official Instagram profile or verified Facebook page and read the post date. A familiar image in a profile picture or a freshly uploaded fan collage may show a much older haircut.
Frequently asked questions
What is the name of Virat Kohli’s hairstyle
It depends on the photo. A textured quiff with faded sides describes the lifted examples. Aalim Hakim described the May 2024 short-front version as reverse graduation, with more length towards the crown.
Who is Virat Kohli’s hairstylist
Aalim Hakim is credited in the original March 2024, May 2024 and March 2025 haircut posts discussed here. Those posts document these particular looks; they do not establish who cut his hair on every occasion.
Is Virat Kohli’s haircut a fade or an undercut
The examples include short, blended side areas that can be described as fades. An undercut usually has a stronger separation between the top and sides. The terms should not be applied interchangeably to every photograph.
What is the difference between his quiff and his short crop
The quiff puts lift at the front. The May 2024 crop keeps the front shorter and builds length towards the crown. They create different silhouettes even when both have closely cut sides.
What should I show my barber
Bring front and side photos of the same dated look. Explain the top shape, fade placement, back length and beard connection you want. Ask the barber to adapt the cut to your hair rather than copy an unverified guard number.
Can I try a Kohli inspired haircut with curly or fine hair
Yes, as an adapted style. Your barber may adjust the length, side weight and texture to suit your hair. Aim for a similar overall shape rather than expecting a different hair type to behave identically.
How much does Virat Kohli pay for a haircut
The original posts examined here do not establish his actual bill. A salon’s reported starting price is not proof of the amount he paid. For your own appointment, request a quote for the cut and any additional services.
Which hair product does Virat Kohli use
These posts do not identify a verified product routine. Ask a barber for a finish suited to your hair and the reference image. Do not assume a product used in a fan tutorial is part of Kohli’s routine.
How often should I maintain a similar hairstyle
That depends on the cut and your growth rate. A close fade and defined beard outline will show growth sooner than a softer blend. Agree a maintenance schedule with your barber based on how sharp you want the outline to remain.
Do I need the beard to try the hairstyle
No. The beard contributes to the appearance of these photos, but the haircut can be adapted without it. Discuss the sideburn finish and overall balance so the cut works with the facial hair you actually wear.
Choose the photo before you choose the name
Your best Virat Kohli hairstyle starts with a photo you love. Study the front and side, then let a barber adapt the shape to your hair and routine. Leave with a cut you can enjoy beyond the salon.
