Gone are the days, when cricketers could enjoy on their cheat meals every now and then even during match days. In this era of the game, where the body dynamics of an individual dictate the success garnered on the field, diet has become an extremely significant factor. Despite sweating it out in the gym and doing various compound movements such as the deadlift, squat or bench press, it is the diet which matters the most.
With physios and gym conditioning experts time and again specifying on the need to eat correctly, the players too have taken a cue from them. For any cricketer, protein is the key ingredient as that very much determines the reflexes of the muscles of an individual. Similarly, carbohydrates too play a vital role and thereby, its essential to have a balanced diet.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s drastic change in eating habits is well known to everyone. The once foodie who gulped down mutton rolls and butter chicken now focus mainly on grilled chicken with negligible salt. The result too was for everyone to see as Kohli’s game improved to the very next level.
In a video released by the BCCI during the team’s tour of Sri Lanka, the side’s diet and nutrition came to fore. With an array of items available, the menu out in the middle seems customised for the team. Below, is the diet chart for the Indian team during their tour of Sri Lanka.
BREAKFAST:
Pineapple, Banana, Orange, Avocado crushed/crackers, Corn Flake, Wheat Flakes, Choco Pops, Skimmed Milk, Raisin, Almonds, Jam, Margarine, Honey, Marmalade, Sliced Brown Bread, Multi Grain, White, Low Fat Cheese, Shredded Chicken, Tuna/Green Chillies, Boiled Eggs, Sliced Tomatoes, Cucumber, Onion, Lettuce, Vegemite, King Coconut Water, Tea/Coffee/Green tea
LUNCH:
Sweet corn soup, Bread Rolls, Naan, Sliced Vegetable Salads with Lemon Wedges and Green Chillies, Beetroot Salad, Steamed Rice, Curd Rice, Chicken Kabab, Chicken Manchurian, Dal Navratna, Home-made Bhindi, Steamed Vegetables, Low fat Curd, Papadam, Indian pickle, Banana, Fruit salad, Yoghurt, King Coconut Water
EVENING TEA:
Tandoori Chicken Sandwich/Mutton Wraps, Fruit cake, Cookies, Biscuits, Tea, Coffee, Fruit Cake/Cookies/Biscuits, Tea, Coffee, Green Tea
POST MATCH MEAL:
Steamed Rice, Chicken Makhani, Yellow Dal, Paneer Bhurji, Naan. Fruit Platter
DINNER:
Along with Post Match Meal Items plus Dal Navratna, Corn Palak, Aloo Methi, Murgh Tandoor and Paneer Lababdar.