New Delhi:
Former West Indies skipper and legendary batsman Brian Lara feels that the Caribbean team has "built some credibility" during the recent T20I series against India and that they will be a force to reckon with in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia next year. He said that even though the Windies team lost the series they will be taking home a lot of positives. The 50-year-old former cricketer, however, didn’t take the credit away from Virat Kohli and his men and said that team India stamped their authority by winning the series 2-1.
"The West Indies team built some credibility in the recently concluded T20I series against India. I think, India stamped their authority and showed their class and dominance by winning the last T20I and finished it 2-1. But I think there are a lot of bright young stars in this West Indies team and in the eight to ten months when the T20 World Cup comes around, we'll be a force to reckon with. We are double champions, so don't take us easy," Lara said on the sidelines of an event to announce the first ever Samarthanam Women’s National Cricket Tournament for the Blind.
Lara Questions Points Distribution System In ICC Test Championship
When asked if the T20s are taking away the charm of Test Cricket, Lara said that although he doesn’t want it, the shortest format will take away the attention from the longer format. "Yes, it will take (the attention) away from Test cricket. Do I want it to happen? No. But that's the way how it goes. People want to go to the stadium in the afternoon and watch the game with their kids. You've got to give them what the present crowd wants because we are all entertainers and that's where the game is headed," the Caribbean cricket legend said.
He said that the introduction of ICC Test Championship has given a lifeline to the Test cricket but questioned the points distribution system. "I feel that the Test cricket will be given a good little lifeline with the introduction of a Test league (ICC Test Championship). I don't think that the ICC has it right yet in terms of the distribution of points. But I am sure things will improve for this is the first time (they are holding an ICC Test Championship),” he said.
Kohli And Rohit Can Break My Record Of 400: Lara
The world record holder of highest individual score in Test cricket said that the likes of David Warner, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are best suited to break his record of 400 runs in an innings. Referring to Warner’s recent innings of 335 against Pakistan, Lara said that it was all destiny and not something you can plan.
"He did look destined to do it. But the decision to declare was vindicated as Australia got six Pakistan wickets by the evening. It’s all destiny and it’s not something that you could plan," Lara said, adding that attacking players like Warner are best suited to break his record.
"Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma if he bats day or day and half, can definitely break the record. Hopefully, I am around to see that. I don’t think records are meant to be kept. Sitting down as 50-year-old with two World records is not that exciting," he added.
India Needs To Tick All The Boxes To Break Its Knock-Out Jinx At ICC Events
The southpaw feels that the Virat Kohli-led Indian team needs to tick all the boxes in order to win the major ICC tournaments. He said that there is a weak link with the current Indian batting side that if Kohli and Rohit get out early, it creates opportunity for other teams and removing this will help India break its knock-out jinx at the major white ball tournaments.
"The invincibility of the West Indies in 75 and 79, Australia about three or four World Cups, they would tick all the boxes. They were so dominant. They knew in 1999, 2003 and 2007, they were the strongest teams. But they made sure that they tick all the boxes and stay that step ahead. Everybody knew that they had to beat Australia to win the World Cup. India need to appreciate that and turn it on at the right time," said the former cricketer from Trinidad and Tobago said.
"You always feel that there is an opportunity to beat India if a Kohli or a Rohit doesn't score. That always is a weak link. If you can get these two guys, we are into them. If they can defy that and have all 11 players walk in same direction, understand their roles, I think India can win many World Cups in future,” he added.
