They live out of their suitcases. That is what makes IPL cricketers essentially tourists. Although they find little time between matches, training sessions and workouts, most cricketers divert their relaxation time to explore the city, in which they are playing. Shopping and trying out different cuisines top the list of their activities.

Australian cricketer Shaun Edward Marsh of Kings XI Punjab used his spare time to try out everything that is Indian. “I love the dal and rice, that is served across the country. I have written down the recipe and will learn how to cook them, once I get back home,” he says.

It’s hard to get Shaun to talk about anything other than cricket but prod him a little and he says rather politely, “There’s hardly any time and the little time I get, I try and grab some sleep. Whenever we’ve managed to go out, I’ve indulged in some shopping for my family back home and tried out a couple of Indian dishes, mostly naan and chicken. But nothing too spicy,” he says.

Shaun says that he always wanted to be a cricketer. Quite obviously, considering that his father Geoff Marsh is a cricketing legend and his younger brother Mitchel too has followed his father’s footsteps. “I’ve always watched my father play. He belongs to a different generation and it’s worth spending time with him. I tend to spend a lot of time with him and I’ve learnt a lot of things about cricket that I wouldn’t have got a hang of otherwise,” he says.

About the IPL, Shaun points out, “some of the young Indian players have a lot of potential. If you are passionate about the sport, then nothing can stop you from reaching the top.”
Shaun is looking forward to the next season. “The IPL has changed the way people look at cricket,” he signs off.