Cricket World Cup – National Dishes of Participating Countries

I am sure, everyone is aware, that the Cricket World Cup is on and I have been a big fan of Test and the ODI matches. I stay away from the T20s, they get over too fast.

I was watching the India Vs South Africa a few days back. The thought of what would these guys be eating, to be, almost machine like in their strength and abilities. Yeah!!! Food is all I can think about.

Now, there are 10 countries and 150+ cricketers participating, it would be impossible for me to research 150 players and write about their food. (I am going to attempt it soon and release it by the next world cup 😊) So, I thought about writing what would be the national dish of each of the countries participating. Ahhh!!! that idea stuck and here I am here writing about what I think is the national dish or the most liked dish of that country.

 

Starting off with the current World Champions, Australia.

They are the most successful team in the world cups, winning it 5 times. Closest behind them is India with 2 and West Indies with 2.  So, what is that the like to eat the most?

Australia is known for meat eating and specifically barbecued stuff. Barbecued sausages are quite popular there. But, while browsing through some sites for research, realised that Roast Lamb is probably the most popular dish of Australia.

As the name suggests, a large piece of lamb is cut and roasted in the oven along with veggies and eaten by the family. The juices from the roast are converted to a gravy, mixing it with flour and wine. This gravy is served along with the Slices of Lamb.

 

Next, let’s take the runners up last year, New Zealand.

Small country but possibly the most beautiful in the world. First time World Cup finalist in 2015.

A country which gave Bungy Jumping to the world. New Zealand has been playing cricket for a long time but have mostly been under the shadows of the larger counterpart Australia. Having said that, Black Caps (as the team is called), is a tough team to beat at home.

I could not really find a National Dish for this country, but some most popular dishes would be fish & chips (yeah…. I think this must have come from England), Pavlova (a dessert) etc. But I would like to mention the Maori Hangi here. Crayfish in local herbs along with vegetables cooked under the earth, is what this unique dish is all about. Maori’s are the original inhabitants of New Zealand and this their dish created in nature.

 

Next, let’s take the country who taught the world to play cricket, England.

Ironically, the empire where the sun never set and the country who taught the world to play cricket has never won the World Cup title. This time around would be different, I completely back England to win the World Cup 2019.

Fish and Chips, I believe is still a popular dish here. Do I really need to explain this dish? Crisply fried fish, with potato fries (french fries) served with tartare sauce. A slice of lemon along side completes the dish.

Now, hold your breaths, the recent contender added to this list of contenders for the National dish for the UK is, our very own, chicken tikka masala. Now, how many people knew that before?

 

What do I take next? My own country, India.

Two-time World cup winning team playing under two great masters of the game. India, has produced some of the world’s finest cricketers and cricketing brains. It also has BCCI, which is the world’s richest cricketing body. By the way, IPL, will soon be added as an official festival in India, because cricket is a religion here.

India is a majorly diverse country, so I am not sure that I would be agreeable to any one dish being the National dish of India. If I had it my way, it would be butter chicken but the last government, declared Khichdi as the national dish of India. A combination of rice and pulses cooked together with few or no spices is what khichdi is all about. This does deserve to be a national dish, as it is eaten is some for or the other across the length and breadth of India. Some would put in vegetables too.

 

Next let’s take the neighbours of India – Start with Pakistan

One-time world cup winning team under the leadership of their charismatic current PM, is a force to reckon with in cricket. I have often thought, that if India and Pakistan were still together, no team in the world would be able to beat the combined team. But it is not to be.

Since, it is a sister country, most of the food habits remain same. The national dish though does not remain the same. Again, Pakistan is culturally very diverse, and every region would have a separate local dish as the favourite.  The staple here is wheat and Rice. I would just give it up for the Mutton Biryani here. The combination of flavoured Rice cooked along with spiced meat always soothes souls.

Biryani is cooked in variety of manners either in Dum or Kachha Gosht etc. Biryani can constitute a culinary book around itself. So more on that later.

 

Another neighbour on the East – Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has now matured into a full fledge cricketing nation. In fact, I think their progress in economy is envious too. Let us just stick to their cricket and food for now. They have been minnows for a very long time, this world cup is the opportunity they use to catapult to the top 5 cricket playing nations.

This small country was a part of India till about 50 years back. Their cuisine and the West Bengal cuisine is similar. Maybe the difference is that Bengalis from India eat a lot of river fish whereas from Bangladesh they would be eating a lot of sea-fish. I have heard fights on which Hilsa or Illish is better, West Bengal or Bangladesh.

Have not been able to find a national dish for Bangaldesh. Their cuisine does contain a lot of flat breads, rice and fish. Dhakai Paturi or fish steamed in banana leaves is what I am impressed with.

 

Moving on south of India – Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is another beautiful country who produced cricketers like Jayasurya and Murlitharan. They have won the world cup once. If I am not wrong, they were the team who taught the world of taking advantage of the first 15 overs. The combination of Kaluwitharna and Jayasurya had bought in a new power game.

When I see cookery shows and read about Sri Lankan food, I realise it is very similar to the way South of India cooks food. Being an Island, Sri Lanka is rich in coastal resources. It is not a surprise that the most popular dish in Srilanka would be Sour Fish Curry or Malu Ambul thiyal.

Fish generally goes well with a sour curry, but the local ingredients make a difference here. Goraka is key ingredient and lends it sourness to this curry.

They do not seem to be a strong team in World Cup Cricket in 2019 but they will carry their “Never Give up” attitude throughout the tournament.

 

A little further up – Neighbour’s Neighbour – Afghanistan

Afghanistan is the baby of World Cricket, albeit a very talented one. They have beaten the best in the game and have some gifted players.

A lot of north western Indian food has been influenced by the Afghans.  The use of specific spices and the method of cooking. I am no historian but have learned that at one point in time it was considered as a part of India way back in history.

Primarily a rice eating nation, hence the pulaos are what are most popular here. Yes, they are called pulao or pulaw. Now, probably you get the influence bit. The Kabuli Pulao is their national dish. Meat is slow cooked with spices, veggies, lentils and of-course rice. They have a huge variety of pulaos. Again, a pulao is not to be compared with a biryani, or can it be compared with a Biryani? (rolls his eyes). I could write a separate book on this.

 

Music and Dance – Yes you guessed it, West Indies is next

West Indies is again a group of countries, so may not be able to do justice by saying that there is one popular dish of the group. Each country has their uniqueness. So, let’s take the country of my favourite West Indian Cricketer(all time) Sir Vivian Richards. Apart from his batting and occasional bowling, he carried a swag, not many people can forget.

Antigua or Virgin Islands is where he hails from. I am not an expert at the cuisines of that part of the world, yet. But what I know from research is that Funjie. It’s a cornmeal mush had with stew or veggies. It is a common dish across Africa in places like Kenya and Tanzania as well.

The best I like about the West Indians is the beating of the drums and the partying in the cricket stadiums while the matches are on. They present themselves as a country with a happy go luck attitude.

 

Last but not the least and One of my favourite Cricket Playing nations – South Africa.

I remember, when they were reinstated by the ICC in 1991. Theirfirst match was played against India in India. It was quite an emotional match for them and could also see 40+ year old cricketers playing in their team.

When you talk about south Africa, there is an Indian influence on their cuisine too. The Indian labourers were not allowed in restaurants there so another Indian cam up with a solution for his Indian brothers. He created something which is now called Bunny Chow. A large bread with a big hole in between which is filled with gravy. This was wrapped and sold to the Indian labourers outside the restaurant so that they could carry it with them.

Not sure if they really have a national dish. Although the most popular dish in South Africa maybe the Bobotie. A dish cooked with meat and with a topping of eggs.

Known as the chokers in large tournaments. This year they look like non-starters as of now. While I am writing this they have played 3 matches and lost all 3 of them. Hope they have a great World Cup 2019.

 

References

There could be debates on these but let’s just read this for fun and some information. Most of my data is either through Wikipedia or some popular sites which you can research easily by searching “National dish of a <country name>”.

My love for cricket and food is what this small piece is all about.

 

Photo Credits:

• Background Images used are from Pexels and Unsplash.
• Cricket Ground photo by Aksh yadav on Unsplash
• If you think the photograph is yours and would like it attributed to you, please email dushyant@eatingcultures.co.in