The Indian cricket team has regrouped in Rajkot following a brief hiatus subsequent to the second Test match against England in Visakhapatnam last week. Set to confront Ben Stokes’ squad in the third Test beginning February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, India aims to seize the lead.
As reported by Indian Today, the team is lodged in Rajkot’s Sayaji Hotel until February 19. Captain Rohit Sharma and wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul have been assigned Royal Heritage themed suites, with Rohit enjoying a presidential suite.
Hotel director Urvesh Purohit disclosed to India Today that Gujarati and Kathiyawadi cuisine has been arranged for the players. Breakfast will feature Fafda-Jalebi, Khakhra, Gathiya, Thepla, Khman, likely to delight Jethalal Champaklal Gada. Dinner will include special Kathiyawadi dishes like Dahi Tikari, Vagherela Rotlo, and Khichdi Kadhi, favored by players such as Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and former captain MS Dhoni.
The England team is expected to gather in Rajkot on Monday after spending their break in Abu Dhabi without their cricket gear. They will have practice sessions over the next two days before commencing the third Test in a bid to regain the series lead from India.
In the series opener, England, led by Ollie Pope’s outstanding 196, defeated India by 28 runs in Hyderabad. However, India retaliated strongly in the second Test in Vizag with a resounding 106-run victory. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s record-breaking 209, Shubman Gill’s maiden century at No. 3, and Jasprit Bumrah’s nine-wicket haul, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, were instrumental in India’s resurgence.
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