Thread by @KShriniwasRao

#Thread : )

Let’s take a break from all the franchise-talk. This time, I thought I’ll put out something different.
Tracking cricket all these years has allowed me one big advantage: To travel well across the country and abroad, experience different cuisines, meet people. (1/18)

What I realised was, hotter the region, spicier the food. Vidarbha, Andhra, Rajasthan.
To sit and watch cricket all day, and ask locals where to go and eat after the day's play are super experiences. Whenever a cricketer agreed to join, conversations were great fun too. (2/18)

I’ll list my favourite cricket destinations where food is as luring as the game. Remember, these are not necessarily my favourite cricket destinations to just watch the game – Food has to remain the catalyst. And vice-versa. So, in no particular order… (3/18)

Chennai: Watching cricket at Chepauk is an experience. Rushing to nearby Ratna Cafe in Triplicane for lunch is divine. Breakfast at Murugan, Snack at Sarvana, dinner at New Woodlands. Life is bliss.
Favourite cricket memory: Sehwag’s triple vs SA. (4/18)

Bangalore: I personally think Bangalore has overtaken Delhi in the food space. Truly pan-Indian, yet flavours of South India rule. Idli at Brahmins Coffee Bar in Basavanagudi is heavenly. Nagarjuna is a must.
Fav memory: Time spent covering National Cricket Academy (NCA). (5/18)

Delhi: You can’t talk about food and not mention Delhi. Recently a friend invited me there when the India-Sri Lanka series was on TV last year. He took me to Havemore for Butter Chicken. What can I say!
Fav memory: IPL’s inaugural year, I did a story I’m still proud of. (6/18)

Rajkot: Oh, how I love Kathiyawadi. The fried green chillies and buttermilk, to go with lasaniya-bataka, sev-tamata nu shak, and the thinnest of phulkas – it’s a treat. The stadium in Rajkot is very good.
Fav memory: Ganguly playing Duleep there in 2005 to prove fitness. (7/18)

Nagpur: This one is conflicted😅. I was born & brought up in Nagpur – 20 yrs since I left, but it’s still the love of my life. And I’ve grown up on Saoji spice. Personally I think, no city does samosas like Nagpur.
Fav memory: Every single day of my growing up years. : ) (8/18)

Vizag: Chapa pulusu-rice (fish curry) – uff! Spices & Andhra are married to each other. Although my fav Andhra food destination is Guntur (but this is abt cricket). Gutti vankaya (stuffed brinjal) rocks. Gongura & aavakaya is life!
Fav memory: IPL matches there in 2016. (9/18)

Indore: It’s not a city, it’s an experience. Chappan dukaan (56 eateries) & Sarafa enriches your life. I don’t know what magic the owner of Joshi Dahi Wada Wala (crisp fried lentil dumplings soaked in curd) has.
Fav memory: India vs NZ Test. Rahane’s highest Test score. (10/18)

Lahore: Je Lahore Nai Dekhya, O Janmyai Nai (You’re not born yet, if you haven’t seen Lahore). Street food in Purani Anarkali, cooco's den overlooking the Badshahi Masjid – priceless experiences. Winter is joy!
Fav memory: 410-run opening stand between Dravid & Viru. (11/18)

London: 2007 Test series. I landed after a 9 hr flight, slept, woke up hungry, went looking for food near Oxford Circus. A Pak restaurant was open. Asked the lady what’s good? She said, have ‘Balti chicken’. God bless her.
Fav memory: MSD batting to draw Lord's Test. (12/18)

Johannesburg: I can eat at the Hussar Grill every day for the rest of my life. The meat and the wine reach the ultimate melting point when you savour it. If the weather’s right, it’s a bonus. Great Indian restaurants too.
Fav memory: 2009 IPL & 2018 Wanderers Test. (13/18)

Adelaide: Just go and eat at the Parwana – an Afghan restaurant in the business district. If you’re a hardcore sea-food lover, Fishbank is good too. But Parwana is an experience. Husband & wife run it.
Fav memory: Wahab Riaz to Shane Watson, 2015 WC. (14/18)

Jaipur: At the peak of winter, at night, sit next to a fireplace, gulp your favourite tipple, and wait for the laal maas to be served. Have it but remember – wait for it to digest before hitting bed.
Fav memory: Too many (Lalit Modi was around then :-)) (15/18)

Kolkata: Arsalan, Park Circus – Go, sit, eat, but don’t fall asleep. I usually avoid restaurant biryani. They disappoint. Biryani tastes best when your best friend’s mom cooks it with all her love. I’ll make Arsalan an exception.
Fav memory: The 2001 Eden Test match. : ) (16/18)

Here are some more: Goa (India Eng 2006), Kochi (same series), Nashik (Ranji, local food is great), Leicestershire (great Indian restaurants), Melbourne (a melting pot for food), Colombo (the Indian restaurant at Taj), Cape Town (if you like Oysters. I do). (17/18)

I could’ve named more but, as I said, cricket has to be the catalyst. For instance, I love Rayalaseema food, Bhopal is amazing, Kashmiri Wazwan -- but no cricketing connect.

Any place you can think of? Happy to hear...

(18/18)

Oh, how could I not mention Dubai! Have seen quite a bit of cricket there. Food in Dubai is world class -- whatever you eat.
I stopped eating the shawarma anywhere else out of respect after having it in Dubai!

Fav cricket memory: Visiting Sharjah for the first time in 2014.