The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final is set for tomorrow. Bid farewell to your typical Sunday siesta because it’s a day that warrants meticulous planning to cheer for the dream finale – India vs. Australia. And if you’re hosting a home screening — from delectables to sips, music to games — everything needs careful planning. Don’t stress, we’ve got your back. Check out our recommendations on how to plan the perfect match day at home, and enjoy!
Go India!
Easy munchies for match time
A match party without quick-to-make yet delicious nibbles? Unthinkable! Here are two ‘cheesy and herby’ Sweet Potato Fries and Spicy Meatball recipes you can easily try at home.
Cheesy and Herby Sweet Pot
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Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes cut into wedges: 1kg
- Mozzarella cheese cubes or slices: 200gm
- Mixed herbs: 1 tablespoon
- Pink salt: To taste
- Black pepper powder: 1 tablespoon
- Lemon juice: 4-5 tablespoons
- Roasted whole red chilli powder: 1 teaspoon
- All purpose flour: 4 tablespoons
- Vegetable oil: To deep fry
Method
- Blanch the sweet potatoes and strain excess water
- Coat the sweet potato wedges in all purpose flour
- Heat oil in a deep pan and deep fry the potato wedges until crispy
- In a microwavable deep bowl, add mixed herbs, pink salt, black pepper powder, lemon juice, chilli powder and mix well
- Add the fried wedges and coat with the spice mix
- Grate cheese or place the cheese slices and put the bowl in the microwave for one minute to allow the cheese to melt. Enjoy hot!
Spicy Meatball
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Ingredients
- Chicken keema/boneless thigh/boneless breast: 500gm
- Finely chopped onion: 1 large
- Finely chopped green chillies: As per taste
- Finely chopped spring onion: 4-5 tablespoons
- Grated mango ginger: 1 tablespoon
- Black pepper powder: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: As per taste
- Chilli oil: 2 tablespoons
- Red chilli sauce: 3-4 tablespoons
- Tomato sauce: 3-4 tablespoons
- Egg: 1
Method
- Put chicken in a blender and paste until smooth, without water
- Add the chicken in a mixing bowl along with chopped vegetables, black pepper powder, egg and salt
- Heat water in a deep pan
- Make medium sized round balls of the chicken paste and drop in the boiling water, and cook for 7-10 minutes on medium flame. Take out and strain any excess water
- In another bowl, add red chilli sauce and tomato sauce, plus the chopped spring onion. Check seasoning and coat the meatballs
- Drizzle some chilli oil and serve piping hot
Mocktails for match time hydration
Boozy sips are for post-match celebrations. But the snacks need thirst quenchers. What’s better than making the most of the pomelo season and a Brazilian lemonade?
Pomelo Juice with a twist
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Ingredients
- Deseeded pomelo: 1 medium
- Pink salt: To taste
- Jaggery: 2 tablespoons
- Chaat masala: 1 teaspoon
- Sparkling water: 200ml
- Red chilli powder: ½ teaspoon
- Ice cubes: As per requirement
Method
- Put all the ingredients in a shaker or a bottle. Shake well and serve
Brazilian Lemonade
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Ingredients
- Condensed milk: 5-6 tablespoons
- Lime juice: 3 large
- Sugar: ½ of a small cup
- Water: 4 cups
- Ice cubes: As per requirement
Method
- Peel off the skin of the lemons and deseed
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth
- Strain and serve
OOTD and the perfect look
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It’s time for a special touch of makeup to immerse yourself in the spirit. Even if you’re not in Ahmedabad, cheering from the stands, painting your face with the tricolour and donning the Team India jersey add an extra flair to the celebration. Use well-pigmented eyeshadow, blend it with a bit of oil or fabric colour, or opt for face paint – just go for it. Remember to protect your skin with a base layer and moisturise thoroughly. To remove the face paint, start with an oil-based cleanser, followed by a double cleanse using a gentle face wash. Finish off with a layer of face cream right after the hurrah.
A post-match drinking game (hic!)
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Why not indulge in a post-match cricket catch-up with some trivia? Prep those celebratory drinks (because, why not?), clink those glasses and bring out the trivia cards you’ve crafted (thank you, Google). Engage in a rotational game, and here’s the twist – the person with the lowest score takes on the challenge of chugging a whole pint (or glass). Cheers!
Go shutterhappy with Dream 11
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Create a cosy corner in your room and set up a makeshift photobooth. Whether you have an instant camera or just your phone, it works perfectly. Snap some shots and share them with your WhatsApp group. Add a touch of patriotism with Indian and Australian flags (we all have that one Aussie friend, and that's cool). Print photos of your favourite cricketers, who have your and the group’s heart, and that’s all you need to pose and go shutterhappy.
The ultimate sporty playlist for the after party
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Make a playlist. Add Bollywood musts from Lagaan to M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Swades, Kai Po Che, 83, Shershaah, Jersey, and break into a groove. Don’t forget to add the World Cup anthem and play it every time there is a sixer, four or a wicket.