'India is a very strong team'

HUMBLE SPORTSMAN

“I expect to see some of them in the Indian cricket team,” he told Metrolife. He also spoke about his home team, the World Cup and the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

Mention the West Indies team, which was in all its glory earlier, and he says, “I think the team in 1996 was more experienced while the current players are not that experienced. It is important for the seniors to take a lead in the West Indies team.”

He mentions that not enough was done to build a strong team post the 1996 World Cup, which led to a bad performance. “We didn’t prepare well and were just expecting another Sir Vivian Richards to come along. We thought we would continue performing but we didn’t,” he adds.

Lara is not too sure about his role in the West Indies cricket team.

“You will have to wait and see. There are a lot of avenues where I can function. But I definitely see myself doing something in the field of cricket,” he says. Yet he doesn’t seem to be keen on the idea of coaching.

“I am not a qualified coach and wouldn’t want to get into the field without proper qualifications,” he says.

So what has been the most memorable moment of his cricketing career? “It was in 1996 during the match before the semifinals, when we won against South Africa. They had not been beaten by anyone in that tournament before,” he says enthusiastically. Brian has only pleasant things to say about the Indian cricket team.

“I like the Indian team. It has a lot of bowling options but the pressure still lies on the batsmen. They are a very strong team in Twenty-20, One Day as well as Test Cricket,” he says.

He also praises Anil Kumble for his role on the field. “He has been a great servant of the Indian cricket community. Every youngster in the country looks upto him as a role model.”

With the World Cup fast approaching, what are his thoughts on India’s chances of winning the trophy? “It’s an all-round team. But it will face the pressure that teams face while playing at their home ground. No country has ever won in its home ground,” he says.

And he seems to be excited about the next season of the Indian Premier League. “The IPL will going on to its fourth season and this year, I think a new team will win. I have my eyes set on the Kochi team,” he says finishing off.