Barely two weeks after mutually sharing the grief of Phillip Hughes' death, the Indian team's relations with Cricket Australia is turning sour as pacer Ishant Sharma left the Gabba at lunch on the third day on Friday, after finding that there was no vegetarian preparation in the menu.
- Scorecard: Australia vs India, 2nd Test
Apparently they have been unhappy with the food provided to the visitors ever since they landed in Australia.
The team was very unhappy about the food provided at Glenelg Oval in Adelaide for the two practice matches and the same was notified to the concerned authorities. However, they did not make their grievance public as it was the time that the nation was in mourning after Hughes' tragedy.
The team was happy with the arrangements made for the first Test in Adelaide where South Australia Cricket Association arranged for an Indian chef to prepare food for the Indian team during the match.
But things have taken a turn for the worse in Brisbane.
On day three, proper vegetarian fare was not provided at lunch, as was noticed in the media room as well.
Two Indian players Ishant Sharma and Suresh Raina complained about the same. They then proceeded outside the stadium premises to procure proper vegetarian food for themselves, accompanied by International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit personnel and team director Ravi Shastri.
However on their return, they were told that food or beverages can't be brought inside the stadium.
The two players consumed their food sitting outside before they returned to the dressing room. It should be noted that Raina is not part of the playing eleven but Ishant is and he bowled for India on the third day.
Despite the incident being of unprecedented nature where one of the cricketers had left the venue in the middle of the match, ICC's ACSU unit refused to make any comments in this regard.