Beard will stay: Kohli

BANGALORE, May 17 (AFP): India cricket captain Virat Kohli insisted Thursday he will not be shaving off his famous beard any time soon.

The 29-year-old batsman, who said he still cleans his own cricket shoes despite being one of the world's highest paid athletes, has in recent years become a style icon because of the beard.

A fan asked Kohli at a promotional event whether he would ever get rid of his carefully trimmed bristles.

"I don't think so, I really like it," replied Kohli who will next month play for English county Surrey to prepare for India's tour later this year.

"I think it suits me. So I don't want to get rid of it.

"Looking after it is not that difficult because the beard oils have come in and it's very easy. A little bit of beard oil and it's in place.

"But when it gets too big and thick then obviously I have to trim it. That's the only thing. But no, I would not get rid of it." Beards became almost ubiquitous in the Indian team until last year when a small group of players said they would shave to break the stranglehold.