The fourth Test match between India and Australia will be held in Ahmedabad.© AFP
Fielding under the scorching sun for nearly two days can drain energy and India came up with a unique way of keeping themselves hydrated by gorging on watermelon during the drinks break on the second day of the fourth Test against Australia in Ahmedabad on Friday. In fact, the drinks break turned into a grand fruit break when substitute fielder Mohammad Siraj carried a plate full of juicy sliced watermelons onto the field. Those who have been associated with the Indian teams over the years may not remember whether watermelon was consumed during the drinks break or not.
“It is probably another way of keeping myself hydrated in this dry summer. If you see, both the days are very hot in the evenings as well. Apart from electrolyte mixed drinks which help in maintaining the pH level in the body Help, juicy fruit.” Both help in hydration as well as energizing in extreme conditions, a source close to the team told PTI.
Eating fruits is not a new thing and fast bowlers are usually found having a banana or two at the boundary line after a long spell.
“Fast bowlers don’t work on a heavy stomach, but you probably lose a lot of energy and body fluids after a spell of five or six overs. So eating a banana or two or an energy bar helps. But yes , never heard of watermelon being served on the field during my playing days or even after.
It is also about whether a particular type of fruit is available in a particular city.
But there is no doubt about it, the watermelon was truly the fruit of the Indian team’s hard work.
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