With the BCCI barring players from bringing personal chefs on overseas tours, Virat Kohli found an innovative way to get his preferred meal during Team India’s Champions Trophy campaign in Dubai.
Virat Kohli Finds Unique Way to Get Desired Food in Dubai Despite BCCI’s Personal Chef Ban
Star Batter Bypasses Restrictions With Help of Local Team Manager
Dubai: As Team India gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a new BCCI directive has changed how players operate on overseas tours. Among the key restrictions in the 10-point diktat issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the prohibition of personal staff, including chefs, stylists, and security personnel. However, Virat Kohli, known for his dedication to fitness and nutrition, found an innovative way to meet his dietary needs in Dubai.
How Kohli Got His Desired Meal
According to a report in The Times of India, Kohli had a food packet delivered to him soon after arriving at the training venue. While he couldn’t bring his personal chef due to BCCI’s restrictions, the star batter found a workaround by seeking assistance from a local team manager.
“The need was understood in extreme detail, and soon after, the manager arrived with a packet from a popular food joint,” the report mentioned.
The package reportedly contained Kohli’s post-session meal, allowing him to refuel immediately after training, while his teammates packed their kit bags. Kohli even saved an extra box for the road, showing his meticulous approach to nutrition and recovery.
BCCI’s New Travel Restrictions: A Game-Changer
The BCCI’s new travel guidelines have impacted both players and support staff. The 10-point directive explicitly states:
“Players can no longer bring personal staff like chefs, security guards, or assistants on tours unless explicitly approved by the BCCI.”
Even India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had his personal assistant accompany him in previous tours, was asked to stay in a separate hotel due to the policy.
The strict enforcement of these new rules is part of the BCCI’s push to emphasize domestic cricket, which also led to senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja returning to Ranji Trophy matches. However, their performances in the domestic circuit were not particularly remarkable.
India’s Champions Trophy Preparations in Full Swing
Team India hit the nets in Dubai ahead of their Champions Trophy campaign, with Virat Kohli being the first to train. The Indian squad had an intense session featuring pace sensations Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh, while all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer went on an aggressive hitting spree. Their power-hitting was so intense that support staff were asked to remain cautious of stray balls flying their way.
India’s Champions Trophy Schedule
- February 20 – India vs. Bangladesh
- February 23 – India vs. Pakistan (High-Voltage Clash)
All of India’s matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are scheduled to take place in Dubai, where the Men in Blue will look to reclaim their dominance on the global stage.
While the BCCI’s travel policies may have forced players to adapt, Virat Kohli’s smart workaround proves that where there’s a will, there’s always a way!
