Virat Kohli Sachin Tendulkar ignored as Brian Lara picks the best player he has ever seen

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara snubbed legendary players Virat Kohli, Sir Vivian Richards and Sachin Tendulkar as the best players he has ever seen in his cricketing career. Brian Lara stated that even he and Sachin Tendulkar could not match the exceptional talent of his former West Indies teammate Carl Hooper.

Brian Lara, regarded as one of the greatest batters of his era, set numerous records. The former left-handed batter holds the record for the highest individual scores in both Test (400) and First-Class cricket (501). Over his career, Lara played 131 Tests and 299 ODIs, amassing over 10,000 runs in both formats.

Sachin Tendulkar, known as the "God of Cricket," is the leading run-scorer in both Test (15,921 runs) and ODI (18,426 runs) formats. He also holds the record for the most international centuries, having scored 100 in his career. The Master Blaster was the only cricketer to play 200 Test matches in international cricket.

In the 1990s, Carl Hooper played a crucial role for the West Indies with his stylish batting and off-spin. He could be a valuable asset for the team across the formats, which earned him admiration. However, he underachieved in his career despite his potential due to his laid-back demeanor on the field.

Not Even Sachin Sachin Tendulkar And Myself Would Come Close - Brian Lara

In an excerpt from Brian Lara's upcoming book 'Lara: The England Chronicles', the West Indies legend described Carl Hooper as the most naturally gifted player he has ever seen, ahead of Sachin Tendulkar and himself. Lara noted that Hooper excelled when he led the team, as he enjoyed the responsibility.

"Carl was easily one of the best players I've ever seen. I would say that not even Tendulkar and myself would come close to that talent. Separate Carl's career from playing to captaining and his numbers are very different. As a captain he averaged nearly 50, so he enjoyed the responsibility. It's sad that only as a captain did he fulfill his true potential," Lara wrote in his new book, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Carl Hooper played 102 Tests and 227 ODIs for the West Indies from 1987 to 2003. The former West Indies skipper scored 5,762 runs in Tests at an average of 36.46, with 13 centuries and 27 half-centuries. He amassed 5,761 runs in ODIs, including seven centuries and 29 half-centuries. He took more than 400 wickets with the ball.

Viv Used To Make Me Cry - Brian Lara

Brian Lara revealed that Vivian Richards loved Carl Hooper over him, despite not wanting either to surpass him. Lara noted that Hooper was more affected and often discouraged by Richards' criticism, and he was toughened by it.

"Viv used to make me cry every three weeks, but he would make Carl cry once a week. Viv's tone of voice is intimidating and if you're not strong enough, you can take that personally and be affected by it. Me, I was never really affected by it. In a way, I welcomed it because I was so much under his arm that I knew abuse was coming and I was a strong personality. Carl? I know for a fact that Carl shied away from Viv Richards."

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