In Bhopal for hockey series, Aussie U-18s bowled over by biryani

Bhopal: After taking in the sights and sounds at the City of Lakes since arriving for an upcoming series against India, the Australian Under-18 hockey teams have now taken a liking to Bhopal’s biryani.

The players are raving about it and so are their coaches, apart from the warm hospitality of the host city and the other spicy culinary delights on offer.

Dan Mitchell, the coach of the Australian Under-18 men’s team, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for the local cuisine.

A seasoned visitor to India, Mitchell recounted how his players were adamant on sampling biryani the moment they touched down to the city.

“I’d sampled Indian food before and just as I mentioned how much I had loved the biryani here on one of my earlier visits here, the boys said they wanted to have it right away. We thoroughly enjoyed it,” the coach told TOI.

He added that several of his charges have already taken a shine to a range of spicy Indian cuisine, a departure for many accustomed to milder Australian flavors.

Echoing the sentiment, Matt Cook, the coach of the Australian Under-18 women’s team, showered praise on Bhopal’s biryani, fragrant rice layered with tender meat and veggies which is typically cooked on slow fire and served hot with a delectable seasoning of spices.

“How can anyone come to Bhopal and not try the biryani? It’s simply outstanding,” Cook said, in a ringing endorsement of the delicacy, adding, “We’d love to return and play a series here—both the food and the hospitality are excellent.”

Even as their young wards settled into the city and geared for their matches, the coaches reserved fulsome praise for the top-notch care provided — from sumptuous meals to seamless arrangements.

The Aussie Under 18s, who are to feature in a four-match bilateral series against India in the Madhya Pradesh capital, have already been bowled by the city’s rich culinary heritage.

As coach Mitchell put it, the teams and support staff were being “very well looked after”, putting them at ease before the action unfolds on alien turf.