“India has an 80-run lead already. They will win this Test....” Sourav Ganguly was busy checking the score of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka on his phone when t2 caught up with him at The Park’s boardroom on the sidelines of a Kellogg’s programme on Thursday afternoon. A quick chat with Dada on breakfast and more.
What did you have for breakfast today?
I didn’t have cornflakes! There is a puja at home. So, I just had tea, but I am a cornflakes eater… may be three-four times a week.
What’s a breakfast staple at home?
Whatever keeps me thin! Cornflakes and fruits. You know when we were young and I used to go to school… Class I or II, my mother used to give us doodh-muri and banana. A very common diet for Bengalis! Now, with cornflakes coming in, it’s become cornflakes, banana and milk.
Is there something that is a must for you on the breakfast table?
Tea is a must. After a certain age, you have to try and eat as healthy as possible. And, there is so much food on offer everywhere, the biggest thing is to say ‘no’.
You said in the press conference that a man married to a Bengali woman has to know how to make breakfast!
Don’t take everything seriously! (Smiles) Tell me, once you get married, will you wake up and make breakfast for your husband every morning?! (Laughs) Yes or no, give me an honest answer. Some days you would and some days you wouldn’t, right?!
But, how many days do you make breakfast?
No, first you answer my question.
(t2 is stumped!) Some days you would and some days you won’t. So, it’s the same.
If you are making breakfast for Sana, what do you make?
Sana has cornflakes for breakfast. I feed her every morning before she goes to school.
What can you quickly rustle up for breakfast?
I can make tea only!
You are a total foodie. There are so many new places in Calcutta. Where did you go last?
I don’t eat out that much in Calcutta because in any case, I am eating out a lot. I am in Delhi and Mumbai for work. It’s hotel food. In Calcutta, only when Sana and Dona want to go out, I go out with them. I won’t plan an eat-out. Sometimes when you are meeting a friend, you would be like, let’s go and eat.
I went for a meal at Taj (Bengal) 10 days ago. It was because a relative was visiting us from the US. Chinese is my favourite as long as it is not spicy.
Are you adventurous when it comes to food?
No, I am not. To live, I eat, not the other way round. I have this huge ability of letting go and also putting a stop.
What is the most adventurous food you’ve tried till date?
Crocodile meat in Kenya because I was told by one of my teammates that it is chicken. It tasted brilliant! If he would not have told me while we were leaving the restaurant that it was crocodile meat, I would never have known.
Who is a great cook in the Indian team?
No one! You stay in the best of hotels, no one cooks! All of them love food though. Sometimes I felt, eating was a way to keep the performance pressure away.
Finally, what is the one item that Dona cooks that you love a lot?
There is nothing specific. In the family, it is now Sana’s choice which gets priority. When you have children at home, it works that way. She likes Butter Chicken and Black Dal a lot. So, the mum’s making for the daughter and the dad is also a part of it. Isn’t that right?
Saionee Chakraborty
Do you agree with Sourav that a man with a Bengali wife has to know how to make breakfast?
Tell t2@abp.in
