Food for thought: BCCI complains to ICC about sub-standard food stuff given after an intense workout session at practice venue on the outskirts of Sydney

Food for thought: BCCI complains to ICC about sub-standard food stuff given after an intense workout session at practice venue on the outskirts of Sydney

BCCI complains to ICC about sub-standard food stuff given after an intense workout session at practice venue on the outskirts of Sydney

This is definitely food for thought. After the highs of Team India whacking Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup in the lung opener in Melbourne on Sunday, they were in for a shock two days later. Rohit Sharma and the boys reached Sydney the very next day (Monday).

On Tuesday, the team went through an intense practice session near Sydney and had to face starvation of sorts. The practice venue allotted was around 40 kilometres away from the team hotel. The Indian team did not complain about it, but what bugged the Indian players was the sub-standard food provided to them.

Apparently, the norm is, all the 12 teams competing in the ICC World Cup get cooked food only on match days at the venues. What was hard for Team India to digest was being provided only “falalfal” and fruits to eat. Most players did not want to “falafal” a Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s a deep-fried ball or patty-shaped fritter made from ground chickpeas or broad beans.

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While the dish may be to the liking of people from the other part of the hemisphere, in the autumn weather of Australia, the Indians were craving for cooked food. The workout session was intense and the players plus team management were hungry after that. When they came back to the dressing room, the food menu was not to the liking of the Indians in relatively cold weather

Cricket Correspondent of Dainik Jagran broke the story. It has gone viral after that. Speaking to First Sportz from Sydney, said Tripathi. “Players do feel hungry after intensive net sessions. They are used to eating cooked food, which was not available,” said Tripathi. The grapevine says some of the players battled hunger and just had fruits to eat.

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Shocking that Australia, a first-world nation, has failed to be a good host for BCCI

BCCI miffed with ICC due to poor food arrangement for the players
BCCI is miffed with ICC due to poor food arrangements for the players (Image Credits: AFP / Surjeet Yadav)

On Wednesday, after the news broke out, the BCCI complained to the ICC (International Cricket Council) that they were not happy with the food on offer. The ICC has heard the complaint and action will be taken, says insiders.
“Yes, the matter has been raised by the BCCI and the ICC will do the needful,” said another source from Sydney. This is a first of sorts that the Indians had to face hunger pangs. Had it been a practice venue near the team hotel, they would not have faced such a crisis. They would have quickly returned to the hotel. Now that the issue has been flagged, there is hope such issues will not crop up again.

It is well known, most of the Indian players like to eat a decent hot meal after practice sessions. Maybe for the Aussies and Englishmen, salads, sandwiches and food like “falafal” are acceptable. Certainly, if the Indian team management is making noise, it is justified. It is well known in every sport, players cannot undergo starvation. When so much planning goes into the tournament, food should have been factored.

Given the fact the Indians played a late-night match in Melbourne under floodlights, they would have wanted to recoup fast. Good and tasty food does play an important role in it. Nourishment, calories, and what is palatable are important. The Indians were not asking for something exotic, but cooked food that could be eaten to take care of specific calorific requirements.
It is shocking that Australia, a first-world nation, has failed to be a good host. When India or the United Arab Emirates hosts big tournaments, the hospitality is lavish. Even if there is cost-cutting of any sort, food is not compromised.

Hopefully, when India plays the Netherlands in Sydney on Thursday, they will make a meal of it in the playing arena and inside the dressing room. All this is subject to weather conditions. In case there are rain interruptions, Team India will still need good food to eat. After all, in cold conditions and with rain delays, no player wants to be sitting on an empty belly. Certainly, no one is on a crash diet as well!

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