Sport - Cricket;What do they eat

CHANDIGARH: Next time when Sachin Tendulkar sends the leather flying out of the park when India take on Australians in the second cricket Test at Mohali on Friday, the power behind his shot may well come from hot milk with a dash of turmeric mixed in it.

"Tendulkar has a special preference for hot milk for his breakfast the day he has to play a match. Last time also he had asked for it and whenever he asks for it, we give it to him with some turmeric which he mixes in the milk," Ramit Kohli, senior chef at the Taj hotel, where the two teams are currently staying, said here.

He said Tendulkar, who just needs a few runs more to become the highest run-getter in the Test matches, also relishes bananas, banana shakes and eggs for breakfast.

Kohli said in routine the Taj serves the players "power breakfast" which is high in caloric values and includes lot of fibres and energy drinks.

"We give them mix of continental which contains chicken or fish, baked beans, breakfast cereals, high calories like multi grain bread muessli, choice of cheese spreads, fresh variety of cut fruits and juices," he said.

However, on specific request made by any player the hotel supplies them whatever food they order.

On Wednesday, for example the Indian team had lot of "crispy paranthas without oil" while the Aussies relished Dosas although their skipper Ricky Ponting had "poached eggs for breakfast".

Many Indian players also order south Indian food which includes Dosas, Upma, Poha and Sambar.

In routine, the Aussies are fond of lot of pastas with continental breads.

For the dinner, both Indian and Australian players have liking for the Tandoori items.

"The players enjoy their food at the Dera, which is Indian restaurant at the Taj here. They relish Tandoori items like Chand Wala Murg Tikka, Surkh Lal Murg and Galouti Kebabs," he said.

At the hotel's Al Fresco, which is an open area, players usually enjoy a range of grilled varieties.

"Chicken Satays, Indonesian and Thai food is also in demand with the cricketers. Mongolian barbeque, too, is in hot demand," he revealed.