As the cricket on the field took a backseat during the first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens on Friday, the conversation among the commentators turned to which country had the spicier curries.
Of course, Durban is known for its large Indian population, and the curries in the region are well-renowned.
While South Africa lost three wickets in the opening session, that seemed to matter little as Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar and Dale Steyn began the culinary discussion.
Gavaskar set the ball rolling as he began talking about India’s historic first tour to South Africa, after the nation was readmitted back into international sport in 1992.
Durban’s Spicy Legacy: A Culinary and Cricketing Tale
The revelation was that then United Cricket Board of South Africa president Krish Mackerdhuj took the India team for a meal just outside Durban, for what turned out to be one of ‘the spiciest meals in my life’. Former Proteas fast bowler Steyn then chimed in by saying: “Durban is actually well known for being incredibly spicy. The pitch used to be incredibly spicy too. It’s flattened out in these years.
“But in all my years of travelling to India, I’ve had spicier curries in Durban than I’ve had anywhere in India. The Nando’s there is also hotter than anywhere else in South Africa. So there’s something about Durban. Different curries and curry sauces.”
South Africa ended the first session on 105/3 with Wiaan Mulder (22) and Tony de Zorzi (15) the unbeaten pair attempting a fightback after the Proteas had fallen to 71/3.
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