Virat Kohli: A Taste of Delhi
Virat Kohli is arguably the face of fitness in modern cricket, having transformed his physique and performance through intense discipline. He famously follows a strict diet, avoiding gluten, sugar, and processed foods. However, the Delhi boy's heart still
craves a hometown classic. When he allows himself a cheat meal, his go-to indulgence is a plate of Chole Bhature from a favourite spot in Rajouri Garden, Delhi. In various interviews, he has spoken about his love for this flavourful Punjabi dish, proving that you can take the man out of Delhi, but not the foodie out of the man. He has also detailed an elaborate dream cheat day that would include everything from Rajma Chawal to Paneer Patties and Gulab Jamun with ice cream.
Rohit Sharma: Mumbai's Street Food King
The 'Hitman' of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma, is known for his powerful batting, and his food choices are just as robust. While he maintains a high-protein, low-carb diet to stay at the top of his game, his cheat meals are often a tribute to his Mumbai roots. He has a well-documented love for street food, with Vada Pav being a particular favourite. Beyond that, his comfort foods include classics like Aloo Paratha and Pav Bhaji. In some interviews, he has also mentioned that his ultimate comfort meal is simple Dal Chawal, showing his appreciation for humble, home-style food.
MS Dhoni: Captain Cool's Comfort Classics
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is renowned for his calm demeanour and incredible fitness, even years after his international retirement. His diet is typically balanced with lean proteins like grilled chicken and plenty of fresh produce. When it's time for a cheat meal, however, 'Captain Cool' enjoys some rich and flavourful classics. Butter Chicken is often cited as his favourite indulgence. Interestingly, former teammates have revealed that Dhoni sometimes has a unique way of eating it, occasionally opting for just the gravy without the chicken pieces to manage the intake. He is also known to be a fan of Biryani and simple home-cooked food.
Hardik Pandya: A Quick and Easy Favourite
The dynamic all-rounder Hardik Pandya is known for his explosive style on the field and his dedication to fitness off it. He follows a rigorous training schedule and a diet to match, making his cheat meal choice all the more surprising and relatable. Pandya's go-to comfort food is Maggi noodles. It’s a simple, quick, and nostalgic choice that many Indians share. While he is extremely conscious of his diet, even reportedly refusing to eat unhealthy fried foods during a shoot, this two-minute favourite remains his guilty pleasure.
Jasprit Bumrah: A Fast Bowler's Flavourful Fuel
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to generate high speeds requires immense physical conditioning, which is supported by a disciplined diet that is high in protein and controlled in carbohydrates. He is known to enjoy home-cooked Gujarati food, with Dhokla being a favourite healthy snack. But when it comes to a cheat meal, Bumrah has a clear winner: Biryani. He has mentioned his love for Chicken Biryani in multiple interactions, identifying it as the perfect indulgence to take a break from his usual six-days-a-week healthy eating plan.
