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West Indies batting great Brian Lara says India are a force to be reckoned with anywhere in the world, having once struggle on the road. India completed their 11th-consecutive Test series win at home last week when they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against South Africa. They are the only unbeaten team in the new World Test Championship with four wins from as many matches – two of them in the West Indies in their previous series. Lara, once Test cricket’s record run-scoer before being overtaken by Sachin Tendulkar, said Virat Kohli’s men would have to show consistency to be considered in the same league as the world-beating sides of the Windies and Australia of the past. “We all know the Indian team was not the most respected when they travelled. They were very respected at home but now, India on a world stage anywhere they play, is a force to be reckoned with,” Lara said on Thursday in Mumbai. “Well, those teams dominated world cricket … the West Indies in the ’70s and ’80s, the Australians in the ’90s and the early part of the 21st century. India has that capability. “They’re now travelling well. They’re playing abroad and beating oppositions, which is great. World cricket is a lot more competitive now. “So, India will have to do it over a period of time, dominating all teams to be considered. But they are definitely a top cricketing nation.” India have been world No.1 Tests since late 2016. Lara, amassing 11,953 runs from 131 Tests and still the highest scorer with 400no in an innings, said Indian batting mainstay Kohli was the ultimate captain and his fast bowlers were unbelievable. “The Indian outfit – batting, bowling and fielding – is exceptional,” the 50-year-old said. “I thought their fast bowlers were sometimes unplayable (against West Indies). “I saw (India) in the West Indies and I must say what I was accustomed to in the past … this is pretty special. “And the guys that you have on the sidelines, it reminds me a little bit of what the West Indies had back in the ’80s and ’90s … the reserve strength is very important in assessing a team’s ability.” Australian Associated Press
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West Indies batting great Brian Lara says India are a force to be reckoned with anywhere in the world, having once struggle on the road.
India completed their 11th-consecutive Test series win at home last week when they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against South Africa.
They are the only unbeaten team in the new World Test Championship with four wins from as many matches – two of them in the West Indies in their previous series.
Lara, once Test cricket’s record run-scoer before being overtaken by Sachin Tendulkar, said Virat Kohli’s men would have to show consistency to be considered in the same league as the world-beating sides of the Windies and Australia of the past.
“We all know the Indian team was not the most respected when they travelled. They were very respected at home but now, India on a world stage anywhere they play, is a force to be reckoned with,” Lara said on Thursday in Mumbai.
“Well, those teams dominated world cricket … the West Indies in the ’70s and ’80s, the Australians in the ’90s and the early part of the 21st century. India has that capability.
“They’re now travelling well. They’re playing abroad and beating oppositions, which is great. World cricket is a lot more competitive now.
“So, India will have to do it over a period of time, dominating all teams to be considered. But they are definitely a top cricketing nation.”
India have been world No.1 Tests since late 2016.
Lara, amassing 11,953 runs from 131 Tests and still the highest scorer with 400no in an innings, said Indian batting mainstay Kohli was the ultimate captain and his fast bowlers were unbelievable.
“The Indian outfit – batting, bowling and fielding – is exceptional,” the 50-year-old said. “I thought their fast bowlers were sometimes unplayable (against West Indies).
“I saw (India) in the West Indies and I must say what I was accustomed to in the past … this is pretty special.
“And the guys that you have on the sidelines, it reminds me a little bit of what the West Indies had back in the ’80s and ’90s … the reserve strength is very important in assessing a team’s ability.”
Australian Associated Press
