Ahead of the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) found itself in the middle of a controversy after it was revealed that only chicken and ‘halal’ meat has been recommended for the Indian cricketers during their stay in Kanpur.

Sources in the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) told The Telegraph that dietary instructions received from the BCCI, via email, mentions that if anyone wants to have meat it should be only in ‘halal’ form. The message from the Board also states that the players aren’t allowed to eat pork or beef in any form to stay fit and healthy.

While none from the BCCI was available for any clarification, former players said that pork and beef have long been banned from the cricketers’ menu while chicken and lamb have been the preferred choice.

The instructions are believed to have been prepared by the team’s support staff, comprising nutritionists and medical staff.

The ‘halal’ method involves slaughtering the animal and allowing it to bleed slowly. Questions have been raised as to how the Board can restrict players to have only a particular form of meat during the Test series.

The New Zealand team has also sent out its dietary plan to the UPCA. There have been no restrictions imposed on any kind of meat.

The food should contain moderate amount of carbohydrate and protein and lower amount of fat, to ensure the athletes get all the energy and nutrients required for their training and games, the visitors’ diet plan says.