Despite restrictions, board willing to work around players’ nutritional needs
NEW DELHI: With the Indian cricket board (BCCI) rolling out guidelines for players to bring discipline and unity in Team India on the back of a horrid Test season, it is carefully navigating around the restriction of personal chefs on long tours.
TOI understands the board has offered to send two personal chefs for the entire team on tours. However, it is deliberated if that will suffice for the players who have varied diets charted out for them.
“The team has been given an option where the board will arrange two chefs for the players’ needs. However, there will be discussions around the specific needs of the players and what more can be done,” a BCCI source told TOI.
Over the last six-seven years, more players have started to pay for personal chefs who provide food on tours according to the diet charted out by their nutritionists. Players have become more conscious about their diet to maintain optimum fitness levels.
Usually, these chefs don’t stay in team hotels. The players arrange their accommodation with kitchen facilities along with their travel. The food is delivered to the players at the team hotel. One of the objections raised with the board is that the chefs are often present in the dining area where no one except the players and coaching staff are allowed. “The issue is whether two chefs can cook personalised meals for so many players. The players have their favourite food and recipes that complement each other according to the suggested diet. Some may miss home-cooked food on long tours and the chefs design the menu accordingly,” the source said.
“Certain players have to be extra careful with their diet, especially if they have overcome serious injuries which command watching their weight and other vitals. These chefs are very particular about the quality of ingredients used in cooking the meals. BCCI is trying to work around it to ensure premium food quality for its players,” the source added.
While releasing the list of guidelines, the BCCI has also offered a provision where an exception can be made if the player acquires necessary approvals from the coach, captain and board.
One of the options mooted is that a personal chef can deliver the food a t the team hotel concierge services and the concerned player can pick it up and get it served by the hotel staff itself.
It will be interesting how much the BCCI is willing to bend to cater to the players’ nutritional needs.
Certain players have to be extra careful with their diet, especially if they have overcome serious injuries which command watching their weight and other vitals. These chefs are very particular about the quality of ingredients used in cooking the meals. These chefs are very particular about the quality of ingredients used in cooking the meals.
