Inked! Kohli & teammates' obsession with tattoos

Tattoos are widely popular among sportspersons, particularly footballers, rugby players and pugilists. Nowadays, cricketers too use the ink to portray their personalities.

Check out how India's cricketers decorate their bodies.

Virat Kohli

Star India batsman and vice-captain Virat Kohli has four tattoos: his Zodiac sign, Scorpio, on the upper right arm; on the same forearm, is the Chinese symbol of faith; on his left arm shoulder there is tattoo of a Japanese Samurai warrior with a sword raised.

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The Japanese tattoo shows his confidence level in his personal and professional life.  He also sports a tribal design.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan and his wife, Ayesha, are self-confessed tattoo addicts. There is a Carpe Diem on the back of his left bicep, a tribal design on his right shoulder and another one on his back. And there is a bird on his left calf muscle.

Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu has a large tattoo of a pigeon on the left of his neck - and he claims that it has nothing to do with his 'calmer' avatar on the field.

Umesh Yadav

Team India's pacer has five tattoos on his left hand, all the way from his shoulder to arms. Across the shoulder is a tattoo of Lord Shiva, below which is the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. He also has one of Virgin Mary, as a mark of respect and love for his mother, who passed away in 2011. He got a 'blessed child' on one arm, and on another, a symbol for luck.

Ravindra Jadeja

Jadeja has his nickname, 'Jaddu', surrounded by flowers - which he got inked on his right forearm. He is also got a dragon tattoo on his back.

Suresh Raina

Inspired by his teammates, the hard-hitting Raina has also got a tattoo. On the inside of his right biceps, he has 'Believe' inked.

Stuart Binny

The popular entry into Team India, his half-sleeve Maori tribal design tattoo has ensured he's a marked man.

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