SRH vs GT: Brian Lara drops 'bad relationship' bombshell on SRH coaching stint amid team's IPL 2024 success

West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara has reflected on his coaching tenure with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he unveiled his top-4 teams in the ongoing IPL 2024. Lara admitted that his termination was not ideal.

Lara served as the head coach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2023, where the franchise finished at the bottom of the table, and it led to the removal of the legendary West Indian. Later, former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori replaced Lara as SRH head coach.

Initially, the former West Indies batter joined SRH as their batting coach, and then he took over as the head coach, but after just one season, the Hyderabad franchise showed him the door.

Brian Lara reflects on his stint with SRH and picks IPL 2024 favorites

Despite the abrupt end to his stint with the SRH, Lara remains optimistic about the Orange Army’s prospects in the ongoing IPL 2024, as he picked his former team among his favorites to reach the playoffs.

In addition to SRH, Lara also named the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in his top four in the ongoing IPL 2024. While Lara's coaching journey with SRH may have ended on a sour note, he wants to see success for the Orange Army this season.

Brian Lara was quoted as saying by PTI: “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.”

Speaking about what makes his love for India enduring, Lara said: “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. It has a positive effect on me being in India, being loved in a foreign country and the way that they loves you."

Brian Lara opens up about what he loves about India and his favorite Indian food

Lara further explained: "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. 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.”

Furthermore, Lara expressed his fondness for "chhole bhature," comparing the popular north-Indian street food to a dish from his homeland, Trinidad, known as Doubles. He described the similarity between the two dishes and encouraged others to taste Trinidad Doubles to understand the similarity.

Lara also revealed that doubles are popular among Indian players, who enjoy them during their visit to Trinidad. However, Lara said that he loves India, but he is not a big Bollywood fan.