Brian Lara Provides Solution To End India's Long Wait For ICC Trophy

The Indian team last won a major ICC Trophy back in 2013 when MS Dhoni-led side lifted the Champions Trophy in England. Since then, India hasn’t been able to go all the way in the big events. The Men in Blue has reached the semifinal and final stages but they haven’t been able to cross the last hurdle. Consequently, former West Indies legendary batsman Brian Lara provided a solution to put paid India’s perennial wait for an ICC trophy.

Lara believes all the 11 players will need to come up with a collective effort. The Indian team has dominated in the last five years but the ODI and T20 side is hugely dependent on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Whenever both of these batsmen have failed to deliver the goods, the Indian team has looked vulnerable. Meanwhile, India also lost the semifinal of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup against Australia and New Zealand respectively.

India also lost the final of the Champions Trophy 2017 against arch-rivals Pakistan and lost the semifinal of the 2016 T20 World Cup against West Indies.

India hasn’t crossed the last hurdles.

Speaking at the inauguration of the first Women’s National Cricket Tournament, Lara said, “You have one of the best sides. Everybody is lining you up. It’s like fait accompli— India is going to make the semis or the knockouts. So everybody is gearing up for that match. You look at the way New Zealand played against India. They knew who to target. India has to appreciate that the invincibility of the West Indies in 1975 and 1979 and Australia (in 1999, 2003, 2007) was because they ticked all the boxes”.

Ergo, Lara believes that the Indian should come with a collective team effort and all the players should contribute to the success of the team. Lara recalled that the invincible Australian team of the 2000s was able to dominate the other teams as all the players were able to deliver the goods.

“The Aussies were so dominant and in 2003 and 2007, they were the strongest. But they made sure they ticked all the boxes and stayed a step ahead of every single team. You felt there is always an opportunity to beat India if Kohli and Rohit don’t score. India have to make sure that all 11 players move in one direction and know their role, at every single stage. (Then) they can win many, many World Cups.”

The Indian team has ticked the right boxes but they haven’t been able to win the crucial matches in the big matches of the ICC events. Virat Kohli-led side has come up with consistent performances in the recent past but they would like to fill in the missing pieces in the big events.