Team India Orders Butter Chicken, Rice for Lunch on Australia Tour

Struggling to improve their Test record overseas, Team India wants all the 'spicy' action away from the dressing room as the first Test versus Australia starts in Brisbane on December 4. The Indian team is taking along a special chef to ensure that the runs and taste buds keep ticking during the four-match series.

According to a report in news.com.au, the Indians have sent a long list of nutritional requirements that includes 'mild curries' such as butter chicken and have given the quintessential instruction of "No spicy foods" in large, red font.

Considering that several Indian players are vegetarians, the Indians have ordered a balanced and elaborate all-day venue menu including chicken, roast lamb, smoked salmon, low-fat cheese and snacks such as raw nuts, muffins, energy bars and cookies.

With a strict no-no to beef and pork, Indians want scrambled and poached eggs, grilled mushrooms, baked beans, yoghurt and whole fruits for breakfast. Lunch must include grilled chicken and fish, butter chicken (mild), steamed rice, dry vegetable curry and steamed vegetables.

Keeping in line with the much-hyped "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" (Clean India Campaign), the Indians have listed several hygiene checks. These advice that "all utensils should look clean" and "all staff must wash their hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water." have also been included among several other 'demands.'

The Indian management has also mentioned that hot dishes must be served at more than 60 degrees Celsius, and cold food below five degrees Celsius.

Compared to what England wanted last year during Ashes, the Indian requirements are not so extensive. The English demanded dishes such as piripiri breaded tofu with tomato salsa, a quinoa and cranberry breakfast bar, mungbean curry with spinach and pistachio and ginger biscotti. England were hammered by the Australians in the series.