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Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has emerged as a crucial player in modern cricket, well-known for his aggressive batting and all-round abilities. His value to the Australian cricket team, particularly in white-ball cricket, is undeniable.
Stoinis is not just a powerful batsman; he is also a handy medium-fast bowler who consistently contributes with wickets and economical spells. His dedication to fitness and dietary precision sets him apart.
Reason behind Marcus Stoinis’ personal chef
What makes Stoinis stand out in the ODI World Cup 2023 is his unwavering commitment to a unique dietary regimen. He has adopted a ketogenic diet, which focuses on high-fat and low-carb intake, aiming to maintain peak performance throughout the tournament.
To ensure his dietary requirements are met, Stoinis has taken an extraordinary step. He is traveling with a private Indian chef, Velton Saldanha, originally from Mumbai and trained in French cuisine. Chef Saldanha creates specially tailored dishes within the Australian team’s hotel kitchens.
“Quite a few of the Indian boys do it, that’s where I got the idea. I’ve always been quite strict with my food and all that stuff in my preparation. Garlic naan is out. Gluten-free banana bread and shepherd’s pie with roasted cauliflower mash are in. A roast butter chicken, the intersection of Saldanha’s French training and his Indian heritage, has also been a hit,” said Stoinis in cricket.com.au’s Unplayable Podcast.
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The pursuit of excellence
Stoinis is meticulous about his food choices. Garlic naan is out, replaced by options like gluten-free banana bread and shepherd’s pie with roasted cauliflower mash. A unique creation by Chef Saldanha, roast butter chicken, has become a favorite among the team.
Despite the Australian team already having its chef for meal preparation during the tournament, Stoinis believes that investing in a personal chef is a worthwhile endeavor. His commitment to maintaining a strict diet is a testament to his relentless pursuit of peak performance.
However, despite his unwavering commitment to dietary precision, Stoinis faced challenges in the ODI World Cup. He notably missed the opening match due to hamstring and quad issues, highlighting the fine balance between peak performance and physical health.
