I Love Hyderabadi Biryani says Adam Gilchrist

Have you witnessed the enthusiasm for cricket, whenever you have played the game in India?
Yes definitely! For the past 22 years, I have been visiting India. First, it was as an international cricketer. After retirement, I have different roles to play when I visit the country. It is a fascinating place to come to. During my playing days, it was very hard on the field. But off the field, the way people embrace you and accept you through their passion for the game is just amazing. I have never felt anything but a lot of love from Indians.

Be it coming back to catch up with ex-Indian cricketers or current players or just the fans, it is always a great experience.

As the World T20 will be hosted in Australia next year, which team according to you has the best chance to win the title and why?
Well, T20 cricket is an unpredictable format and 12 months is hard to say who the favourite is, let alone who is going to win the World T20. Although, in Australian conditions and the grounds we have in Australia, the home team will be very strong and could pose a threat in the tournament. Australia is focusing on picking a strong T20 team, while we have tended to rest players in bilateral series.

India too will always be a strong competitor as they play a lot of T20 cricket and are a talented group. I expect New Zealand would do well and England to be a force in white-ball cricket. And of course, Pakistan is the number one ranked team in the world in this format, so probably any one of these five. However, the West Indies could just turn it on, so you just don’t know really.

Have you tried street food in Mumbai?
Well, I think I have tried almost everything here. I have been visiting for 23 years and I have always loved Indian cuisine. I often put on too much weight when in India as I eat too much. The three years I had in Hyderabad, I enjoyed the biryanis.

Like India, Perth too is such a multi-cultural experience. A lot of Indians who visit are very heartened by the dining experience. There is so much variety, and there is a huge Indian population in Perth to cater to Indian local cuisine dining options.