Since the time the India Under-19 World Cuppers came to know that all their games in Malaysia will be shown live on television, they haven’t just spent time ironing their cricketing flaws but worked on their looks too. Most have visited saloons, few are carrying vanity cases, some have got piercings done and one of them has even shaved his chest!

But the majority of them diligently gel their spiked hair—a couple of them have the grunge straight-hair look— while star batsman Tanmay Srivastava is in a clear minority with his conventionally parted hair style.

It brings a smile on skipper Virat Kohli’s face when one inquires how much time his teammates spend in front of the mirror before a game. “The boys are very excited about being on television,” says the 19-year-old, who, by referring to his fellow teenager as “boys,” exposes the fact that he hasn’t just avidly watched televisied cricket games but has even stayed tuned to listen to the post-match captain’s comments.

Kohli, with a double stud on his left ear, isn’t defensive about him and his teammates being fashion-conscious. “For everybody here, it is the first experience of international live telecast. We all grew up watching cricket on television, so we know how important looks are. Hairstyles, ear studs and what not. But these are early days for us. Just watch when the camera pans on our dressing room during a game. They all look at the television and not at the camera,” he says.

Being on television is something they all have dreamt about and they can’t get over the fact that the cameras are finally focused on them. A day before India’s opening game, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja had a crisis on hand. He looked harried as he ran his fingers to his just-availed straight locks. “I had told everyone that the games will be shown live on Star Cricket. But now they say it is it’s on ESPN. I will have to call everybody and inform them about the change. But you sure it is going to be a 7.30 India time start in the morning?” he asks. He confirms with the cameramen laying cables and gets busy on his cell phone.

The teenagers from the television generation aren’t expected to get jelly-feet when in front of the camera but there happens to be a surprising nonchalance in their preparedness to be in the spotlight. It isn’t just the look, some of the players even rehearse the celebrations on the field.

Just before a batsman is about to go onto the field, he gets a few last-minute instructions from a teammate. Along with the usual ‘stay cool, play your natural game,’ there is a small bit of advice delivered in half-jest. “And don’t forget to take off your helmet when you complete your 50. How else can everyone at home see your new hairstyle?” he sniggers.

While hairstyle, ear studs and tattoos are understandable, a bare fact still bothered one: How on earth will a shaved chest add value to the appearance on television? One poses this question to the biggest prankster in the team. He is ready to reply, but begs for a condition-of-anonymity clause. “You know what Dada did at Lords? We are ready for any eventuality,” he says as he runs away.