IND vs ENG, 3rd Test 2024: Rajkot welcomes Rohit Sharma's men with Royal Luxury suites and Gujarati food fest

The Indian team has assembled in Rajkot to play the third Test in their five-match series against England. They were welcomed in Rajkot's Sayaji Hotel on Sunday, February 11, and will be staying there till Monday, February 19.

The aforementioned hotel has left no stone unturned in trying to make the stay special for Rohit Sharma and Co. Rohit and KL Rahul have been allocated a suite with a Saurashtra heritage theme, while the team enjoyed the special Kathiyawadi cuisine. Interestingly enough, skipper Rohit Sharma has been allocated the presidential suite room of the Royal Heritage theme, which showcases the Royal culture of Saurashtra.

Hotel director Urvesh Purohit told AajTak in a special interview, that players travel all over the world and usually get Western-themed rooms everywhere. However, witnessing the heritage of Saurashtra will serve as a little change for them. Furthermore, Purohit said that special Gujarati and Kathiyawadi food arrangements have been made for the Indian contingent on Tuesday, February 13, where they will be served Fafda-Jalebi, Khakhra, Gathiya, Thepla, Khaman for breakfast, and special Kathiyawadi food like Dahi Tikari, Vagherela Rotlo (Bajra Roti fried with yoghurt and garlic), Khichdi Kadhi for dinner.

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According to the hotel director, the Indian players are quite fond of Kathiyawadi food. Moreover, he also mentioned that KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya love Khichdi Kadhi. Besides, the director of the hotel also revealed that the legendary MS Dhoni also enjoyed indulging himself in the popular dish whenever he visited Rajkot.

India will aim to gain a lead over England at Rajkot in ongoing Test series

The five-match series is tantalisingly poised at 1-1, with three more games to play. The Ben Stokes-led side won the first match in Hyderabad by 28 runs before Team India bounced back with a 106-run win in Vizag. The third Test begins on Thursday, February 15.

Both teams would be desperate to get the lead in the series with a win in Rajkot. England are looking to become the first away team to win a Test series in India after 12 years. Interestingly, England were the last team to achieve this feat. Under Alastair Cook's inspirational leadership, the European nation defeated India 2-1 in 2012 to mark a fantastic moment in their rich cricketing history.

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