Brian Charles Lara was born, May 2, 1969, Santa Cruz, Trinidad and Tobago. Lara is a former West Indies cricketer and is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in history.

Regarded widely as the best left-handed batsman to ever play cricket, Brian Lara holds several batting records in the game.

In pic: Lara during the COVID-19 lockdown

Brian Lara is the son of Bunty and Pearl Lara. Brian Lara's father died of a heart attack in 1989 and his mother passed away due to cancer in 2002. Brian Lara often speaks about the sacrifices that his father Bunty made in order for him to enter cricket. Lara was enrolled in Harvard Coaching Clinic at age 6 to learn batting techniques. We can all see how it paid off!

Brian Lara's father Bunty ran a cricket league in the village. During an interview, Brian Lara said, "My dad loved cricket and ran a league in our village. He made sure he gave me everything, he sacrificed what he had to, to make sure I had what I needed to perform at the best level."

In picture: Brian Lara with his father Bunty

Brian Lara also revealed how he had a raw approach to the game of cricket since his childhood. Lara said, "I believe in street cricket. I mean we played cricket with anything we could put our hands on. Hard orange, lime, or marble, in the backyard, in the streets. I played all sports as well."

Not many people know that Brian Lara has 10 brothers and sisters. They are a close-knit bunch of siblings and have always been there for each other.

Talking about his brother, Brian Lara said, "My brother shaped a cricket bat out of coconut branch. You know Caribbeans are tropical and they love their coconut trees. I was only four years old."

On Mother's Day 2019, Brian Lara shared an adorable photo with his mother Pearl and had an emotional message: Pearl Lara look at your legacy! You were the most amazing mother to come home to every single day. With great news you smiled and reminded me to stay grounded. With sad news you lifted me up to see the bright skies above the heavy clouds.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers in my family and to all around the world!!

Brian Lara posted this picture with his elder sister Agnes and captioned it as, "Happy Birthday to my big sister Agnes...67 today and you look amazing! Keep it up and THANK YOU for encouraging daddy to take me to Harvard Coaching Clinic when I was just 6 yrs old. You did a great job as my second mother. Don't think I forgot Aggie. THANK YOU! #family #forever #love"

In 2014, Brian Lara began dating Miss Scotland Jamey Bowers, who is 20 years younger to him. It was Brian Lara who helped Jamey get over her relationship with footballer Andrew Driver. They were introduced to each other by Dwight Yorke.

In picture: Brian Lara and Jamie Bowers

Jamey Bowers has also revealed that she did not know who Brian Lara was. She revealed in an interview, "We have been kind of seeing each other for a couple of months. Dwight introduced us at his summer fete and we hit it off. I had been away from Trinidad for many years and know nothing about cricket, so I didn’t really know who he was. But he was a bit mysterious, flirty and fun."

Brian Lara has two daughters Sydney and Tyla with West Indies model and journalist Leasel Rovedas (37). Lara's daughter Sydney (born 1996) was named after his favourite cricket ground. His other daughter Tyla was born in 2010.

Brian Lara posted this picture and captioned it as, "Happy Easter to my 2 beautiful girls!! #missingyou #Tobago #dadinLA"

In picture: Brian Lara waltzing along with his elder daughter Sydney during her graduation ceremony.

Brian Lara during his visit to Mumbai in 2019. When mid-day photographer Bipin Kokate approached the West Indies cricket great in the Western suburbs of Bandra for a picture, he was in for a surprise. Brian Lara went on to tell the lensman, "You clicked my pictures, I will click yours too." Brian Lara then turned his mobile towards the cameraman and took a snapshot of him.

When you think records in cricket, you also think of Brian Lara. The Windies legend has the record for the highest-ever first-class score with 501*.

In 1994, Brian Lara scored 375, the highest individual score in Test cricket. 10 years later in 2004, Matthew Hayden broke the record after he posted 380. However, maybe the King had to regain his throne as that very year, Lara scored 400* to reclaim his record. It is the only quadruple century in Test cricket. (Lara scored his 375 and 400 against the same team at the same venue - against England at Antigua.

In picture: Brian Lara with Isa Guha (left) at World Cup 2019

Brian Lara has played 131 Tests scoring 11,953 runs at an astonishing average of 52.88. Lara has 34 centuries and 48 fifties to his name.

Brian Lara once held the record for highest run-scorer in Tests in 2005. Sachin Tendulkar went on to break it in 2008.

Brian Lara has played 299 ODIs scoring 10,405 runs at an average of 40.48. Lara has 19 hundreds and 63 fifties to his name.

Brian Lara, along with Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle and Don Bradman are the only players to score two triple centuries in Tests.

Brian Lara is the fastest batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. He took only 195 innings.

Brian Lara ranks third in terms of most percentage of team's runs scored at 20%. Only Don Bradman and George Headley are ahead of him.

Brian Lara holds the record for most runs scored in a single over in Tests. He scored 28 runs off RJ Peterson in the Test against South Africa in 2004.

In picture: Brian Lara with Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose and Carl Hooper

A unique record to have, Brian Lara has scored the most runs on the losing side of a Test with 351.

In picture: Brian Lara with Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Smith

Brian Lara ranks fifth in fastest ODI centuries scored. He scored a hundred off 45 deliveries against Bangladesh in 1999. AB de Villiers holds the record for the same.

In picture: West Indies great Michael Holding and Brian Lara during the 1996 World Cup

Brian Lara ranks 13th in terms of most runs scored in ODIs. He was the highest for West Indies until Chris Gayle broke his record.

In picture: Brian Lara and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan looking dapper

Regarded widely as the best left-handed batsman to ever play cricket, Brian Lara holds several batting records in the game.

In picture: Brian Lara and Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra pose for a selfie.

Brian Lara has scored the most centuries by a West Indies cricketer. He also holds the record for highest test score as captain.

Brian Lara ranks eighth in terms of most hundreds scored in Test cricket with 38. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 51.

Brian Lara has also done his bit for society and humanity. He opened Pearl and Bunty Lara Foundation, in memory of his parents, which address social care and health issues.

Brian Lara is also a huge fan of soccer and golf. He has taken part in various golf and soccer tournaments and has won titles in the former.

Brian Lara also wrote his own autobiography titled 'Beating the Field: My Own Story'

After retiring from cricket in April 2007, Brian Lara made a brief comeback playing T20 cricket as he always wanted to. Lara scored a fifty playing for Southern Rocks. Lara was also up for purchase during the 2011 IPL auctions but no franchise bought him.

Brian Lara was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2012. Lara will always be known for his batting prowess that is par excellence.