West Indies legend Brian Lara reveals what pulls him to India

Brian Lara (Pic: File Pic)

A smiling face at every corner, an adulation that reminds him of family and to top it all off, a spicy, delectable plate of 'chhole bhature'.

West Indies legend Brian Lara loves India not for Bollywwod but "chhle bhature." The former West Indies batsman who is currently doing commentary for the IPL 2024 took time to visit PTI headquarters to have interaction with its editors. He opened up about his love for India, a country in which cricket is an obsession.

"I'm not a big Bollywood fan. I do come from a country with majority Indian population...So, there is a lot of interest in Bollywood. I'm not even an English movie fan. So unfortunately...Harry Potter and these things, I haven't really seen," he quipped with a wide grin on his face, turning on the charm offensive.

"But what I do like about India is the unconditional love," he quickly added.

For a globally recognised cricketer, Brian Lara what makes his love never-ending for India is the warmth with which he is welcomed.

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"I think when you come to India, the way how you're treated, you know, and when you turn any corner there's a smile on someone's face just from seeing you. I think that is something that is refreshing and you know it's also very positive," he said.

"It has a positive effect on me being in India, being loved in a foreign country and the way that they...Walking in Miami on South Beach, everybody's pushing you out of the way."

"But in India, it's a whole different story, everybody pushing into you," he said while trying to explain what makes India so special for him.

"So, I think that from someone who started playing the game for the adulation from my father and from my siblings to having the adulation in India is something that I love, but it's also the serenity of the people," he added.

Not all experiences have been good for Brian Lara in India. The way his coaching tenure for Sunrisers Hyderabad ended is nothing but bad for Lara. But he still picks them as one of his favourite teams to make it to the playoffs. His other three picks are Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings.

"...I have to make it very clear because sometimes people will think your relationship with SRH was so bad but I would love to see SRH do well. I feel it is a continuation of something," Lara said.

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Lara referred "chole bhature" similar to something he used to eat at his home.

"I like it and it's very close to a dish in Trinidad called Doubles. Yeah, so look it up, Trinidad Doubles and look at chhole bhature and it's something very, very similar," he said referring to a popular breakfast option back home. And I can tell you, when the Indian players come to Trinidad, they have our doubles, they love it," he revealed.

Lara is currently enjoying his commentary stint but it's not without its fair share of challenges. "One of the things, the challenges that I have is sort of getting excited and sort of creating excitement for the crowd when I believe something average has happened," he said rather candidly.

"So, a guy plays a big cover drive and it's inside edge for four and I have to get excited for it, it's kind of tough," he explained.

But then there are moments he enjoys too. "But to be a part of the IPL and to be a part of a cricket game and say, for instance, when Shamar Joseph picked up those seven wickets in that Test match in Australia, and to be able to call that period is exciting in itself," he recalled referring to the seven-wicket burst by Joseph while bowling with a broken toe.

What he truly craves to do, however, is coach young players.

"You know, my number one, I think, experience that I have is coaching. I think working with young players and seeing them grow is wonderful...I don't like being too critical of players and I like keeping my opinion sometimes behind closed doors, so it's a learning experience for me being a commentator," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)