Rohit Sharma gets presidential suite room, Gujarati and Kathiyawadi food fest for Team India in Rajkot ahead of 3rd Test

Rohit Sharma and Co. have gathered in Rajkot after a short break following their massive win in the second Test in Visakhapatnam. India's next assignment against Ben Stokes' England is at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium from February 15. According to reports, the Men in Blue were welcomed in Rajkot’s Sayaji Hotel, where they will stay till February 19.

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Rohit Sharma and wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul have been given a suite each with a Royal heritage theme that showcases the culture of Saurashtra. The report added that it's a presidential suite room for the Indian captain. It was decided to keep it Indian style after realising that players travel all over the world and usually get Western-themed rooms everywhere. 

In a special interview with AajTak, hotel director Urvesh Purohit revealed that they have arranged Gujarati and Kathiyawadi food for the Indian players on Tuesday (February 13). Players will be served Fafda-Jalebi, Khakhra, Gathiya, Thepla, Khman for breakfast, and special Kathiyawadi food like Dahi Tikari, Vagherela Rotlo (Bajra Roti fried with yogurt and garlic), Khichdi Kadhi for dinner.  

Purohit also mentioned the fondness of Indian stars for Kathiyawadi food. He said that KL Rahul, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, former India captain MS Dhoni loves Khichdi-Kadhi. 

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Team India to start training from Tuesday

The Indian team is likely to begin their preparations for the crucial third Test on Tuesday, February 13. England players, who spent their mid-tour break in Abu Dhabi, are also likely to assemble in Rajkot for the training. After losing by 28 runs in Hyderabad, India fought back in the second Test and leveled the series. They got their revenge with a brilliant 106-run win in Visakhapatnam and put the series on hold at an interesting stage. 

Meanwhile, India will be without Rahul in the upcoming match. The 31-year-old missed the Vizag Test with a quadriceps injury and is yet to fully recover. Although his availability was uncertain, he was included in the squad for the remainder of the series. His fellow Karnataka player Devdutt Padikkal will replace him in the third Test. Rahul's absence is a huge setback for the Indian middle-order as there are no experienced batters with Shreyas Iyer also getting dropped.