Legendary West Indian batsman Brian Lara paid a visit to the national team’s dressing room after the close of play on Day 2 of the Delhi Test against India. The visit by the cricket maestro offered a potential boost to the West Indies squad, who have faced significant challenges on their tour of India, including a rapid loss in the opening Test.
India dominated proceedings, declaring their first innings at 518/5, with standout performances from Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The West Indies batting lineup struggled to maintain momentum, losing crucial wickets in clusters and ending the day precariously placed at 140/4. A substantial deficit of 378 runs remains.
Lara’s presence in the West Indies camp is part of a broader initiative with Sir Viv Richards aimed at generating financial support for the development of West Indies cricket, particularly its Test format. A source indicated that Lara engaged in separate, brief conversations with coach Darren Sammy, captain Roston Chase, and select players, focusing on the general well-being and future prospects of the team.
This visit follows Lara’s recent public appeal to the current crop of West Indian cricketers. He implored them to assess their commitment, asking if they possessed the genuine passion to play for the West Indies. Lara highlighted that historical teams achieved success without superior infrastructure, emphasizing that the drive and dedication to represent the West Indies were paramount.