06 March,2021 07:54 AM IST | Ahmedabad | Harit Joshi
Sunil Gavaskar. Pic/Sameer Markande.; (right) Ajit Agarkar. Pic/Ashish Raje
When the TV commentators at the Narendra Modi Stadium here learnt that the media personnel were being treated to some local Gujarati fare for breakfast, they also asked for the same. So, on Day Two of the fourth Test, the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Ajit Agarkar and Murali Kartik relished some jalebi fafda. "They loved it. We felt happy that such revered personalities enjoyed our food," Navinbhai Parmar, co-owner of Jay Mahadev Caterers, told mid-day. Former England spinner Graeme Swann too is understood to have enjoyed the sweet jalebis and crispy fafda. Parmar said that he had also sent across some theplas, a special Gujarati roti, to the commentators at their hotel a few days ago. The commentators are also operating in a strict bio-secure bubble just like the players, so any outside food needs to be first sanitised before reaching them.
Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble witnessed Day 2 of the fourth Test at the Motera stadium here on Friday and was very impressed with sports facilities at the venue. "He [Kumble] was fascinated. What impressed him most was the fact that we have top facilities for over 100 different sporting disciplines at this complex," said a top GCA official. Kumble was also happy to see floodlights at the practice arena. "He said that this is what you get when people who have played cricket are involved in planning a stadium," added the GCA official.
Ben Stokes was accidentally hit on the head with the ball while marking his run-up from the Reliance Pavilion end on Friday. The England all-rounder was preparing to bowl his fourth spell when teammate Daniel Lawrence, standing at mid-off, threw the ball towards him without realising that Stokes was not ready to receive it. The ball hit Stokes on the head, but fortunately a mild rub of the affected area was good enough treatment and no physio was needed.
