April 15, 2025: In a delightful fusion of cricket and cuisine, Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) cooking show Knight Bite celebrated Poila Baisakh, the Bengali New Year, with a special episode featuring a unique culinary collaboration. South African stars Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje joined Indian cricketer Manish Pandey for a festive cooking session blending traditional Bengali flavors with a South African twist.
The episode saw the trio preparing ‘paturi’—a beloved Bengali delicacy where fish or prawns are marinated, wrapped in banana leaves, and grilled. The twist? A spicy peri-peri marinade, inspired by South African flavors, creating a unique fusion dish that was cooked using the Prestige Flip Air Fryer.
While Nortje confessed it had been “his first time in the kitchen in a very long time,” Quinton de Kock surprised everyone with his comfort and ease around the stove.
“I live in the kitchen back home. My wife chills, I do all the cooking,” de Kock said with a smile, according to a release by KKR.
Both South African cricketers also bonded over their shared love for fishing, with de Kock sharing his globe-trotting angling adventures.
“The adrenaline rush you get from it… places around the world you go to… I’ve been all over like the Amazon, St. Charles, and going to mid-Africa for a good time with friends,” he explained, drawing a fun connection to their seafood-focused cooking session.
Adding an emotional layer to the episode, Manish Pandey reflected on his IPL journey with KKR.
“My first time for KKR and my first trophy also, so it was a lot of fun. The entire season we worked hard, and the final game was in Bangalore—which made it even more special because I live there,” Pandey said, reminiscing about the 2014 IPL title win, where he was named Player of the Match in the final.
Looking ahead, the seasoned batter voiced his excitement for the current season:
“The way everybody played last year was unbelievable, and I really hope the boys are ready to play and get another trophy this season also.”
As the cricketers tasted their culinary creation, they appeared genuinely pleased with the results. When asked if the dish was too spicy, de Kock confidently responded,
“No, not for me,” showcasing his growing fondness for Indian flavors.
The heartwarming episode concluded with all three players raising a toast to Bengali New Year. In a sweet cultural gesture, the South African cricketers even tried their hand at the Bengali greeting, “Shubho Nobo Borsho.