If I was young again, I would love to be a Virat Kohli or Joe Root - Brian Lara

Of late, cricket has become more a commercial thing with the growth of advertisings. Meanwhile, players are also walking in the path of franchise cricket rather than taking the pride to play for the country. Speaking of the same, Brian Lara highlighted the ethics of Virat Kohli and Joe Root.

The legendary personality in International cricket wants the players to take pride in playing for the country. Further, Lara added that he would like to see youngsters follow the footsteps of Virat Kohli and Brian Lara in serving the country.

Playing for the country is a big thing – Brian Lara

The former great understands that making a living by playing in the franchise cricket is a good thing. But, he pressed that playing for the country should be prioritised more than playing in the flashy league tournament.

Speaking of him, he added that he would be a player like Virat Kohli or Joe Root, who gives their time for their respective countries. Then, he would like to be available for franchise cricket when there are no international matches.

”Getting into the leagues and making a living, I can understand that. But I still believe that playing for your country must be the biggest thing. It should be the dream of every youngster. If I was young again, I would love to be a Virat Kohli or a Joe Root where you are playing all forms of the game for your country and are available to play franchise cricket when time allows,” Brian Lara quoted.

“That’s the sort of cricketer I’d want to be, not just exclusively to one. If there’s a Test Match or a one-day international for the West Indies, I‘m available. Then, in my free time, I would go to the IPL or somewhere like that. If I was playing cricket at this time, that would be my modus operandi,” he added while speaking to BBC.

However, Brian Lara made a valid point in playing for the country. But, one can’t really stop the individual from preferring his platform to showcase his skills unless any new ICC rules take birth.