Presenting...the master cricket chefs of India

Dubai - Former Indian captain and coach Anil Kumble, opener Mayank Agarwal, Robin Uthappa and Ajinkya Rahane whip up dishes for their better halves during the Covid-19 lockdown in India

Cricketers have earned their bread and butter through the sport with batsmen whipping up centuries and the bowlers letting it rip on the 22-yard strip to return with a bagful of hauls.
But with the global coronavirus pandemic forcing everyone to stay indoors, the time spent at home has seen some of these top international cricketers discover some of their hidden talents. Helping their better half when it comes to house work is one - Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan will attest to that, ahem!
But there are some who have made the brave attempt of making their foray into the kitchen. They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach but these cricketers, former and present, have taken it into their own hands, so to speak.
Apart from their art of batting, bowling and fielding, they are also learning the art of cooking.
The latest to do so was legendary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble.
The former India captain and coach, who played 132 Tests and 271 ODIs in a stellar career spanning 18 years, spent time whipping up a mixed vegetable dish at his home in Banashankari, in Bengaluru, the IT capital of India.
Kumble, who snaffled all 10 wickets against Pakistan in the Ferozshah Kotla Test in New Delhi in 1999 to join England's Jim Laker, shared the video on his social media handles.
Kumble would have been busy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with him being appointed Director of Cricket and coach of the Kings XI Punjab franchise. But with the league postponed indefinitely, Kumble, who holds the Indian record of taking most ODI wickets (56) at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, served up a delicious dish filled with carrots, peas and potatoes, for his wife Chetana.
Kumble is not the only one though.
Trying his hand at cooking was his young counterpart from Bengaluru Mayank Agarwal. The Indian opener is seen whipping up what he called "Butter garlic mushroom with bell peppers and quinoa." 
Another Bengaluru lad Robin Uthappa is also trying his hand in the kitchen and seems to be smitten.
"It's been amazing to have Robin home for this long at a stretch. Robin's been cooking. He is trying his hand at cooking," said his wife Sheethal Goutham, a former tennis player.
Meanwhile, Mumbaikar Ajinkya Rahane, who has played many a knock under pressure, cooked up a sumptuous helping of coriander rice.
And who said men can't cook?!
james@khaleejtimes.com