Admitting to a strained association, cricket legend Brian Lara openly acknowledges the discord that marked his coaching tenure with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Brian Lara reflects on the conclusion of his stint with the team, describing the circumstances surrounding his departure as “bad.”
Brian Lara, the name evokes images of effortless strokeplay and brutal power. A retired West Indian batsman, Lara is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the cricketing field. Let’s delve into his illustrious career and what he’s up to these days. Lara’s career was defined by shattering records. He holds the coveted title for the highest individual score in Test cricket, a mind-boggling 501 not out against England in 1994. He even surpassed that feat two years later, scoring a monumental 501 against Durham in a first-class match. These incredible achievements solidify his legacy as a batsman who could single-handedly dominate the bowling attack.
Brian Lara, the West Indian batting legend, had a connection to the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, but not as a player. He donned the coach’s hat for the team in the recently concluded 2023 season. This stint marked Lara’s debut as a head coach in a major T20 league. It wasn’t entirely new territory though, as he had served as a strategic advisor and batting consultant for SRH in the 2022 season.
Unfortunately, the 2023 season proved to be a challenging one for both Lara and SRH. The team finished at the bottom of the IPL table, managing only four wins from their fourteen matches. Lara himself acknowledged the difficulties of adapting to the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of the IPL as a coach.
What Brian Lara Said
Brian Lara, the West Indies batting legend, was replaced as head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad last year, with Daniel Vettori taking over after the team finished at the bottom of the table. Lara, who initially served as the batting coach for SRH, parted ways with the franchise after just one season. Despite acknowledging the unfavourable end to his coaching stint, Lara expressed optimism about SRH’s chances of making it to the IPL playoffs this year, alongside Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings.
Lara was quoted by news agency PTI as saying, “…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.”
Brian Lara wears a smile wherever he goes, feeling loved in India just like with family, and it’s not because of Bollywood. The 55-year-old cricket legend, now commentating for Star Sports in the IPL, recently visited PTI headquarters for a casual chat with editors, openly sharing his affection for a country crazy about cricket.
“I’m not a big Bollywood fan. I do come from a country with majority Indian population…So, there is a lot of interest in Bollywood. I’m not even an English movie fan. So unfortunately…Harry Potter and these things, I haven’t really seen,”
“But what I do like about India is the unconditional love,” he said.
Lara, possibly one of the best batters ever and a widely known cricket icon worldwide, mentioned that what makes his affection for India lasting is the warmth of the welcome he receives here.
“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…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,” he added.
He further explained. “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.”
Speaking of ‘chhole bhature’, Lara noted that this popular North Indian street food reminds him of a dish he often enjoys back home, emphasizing its similarity to familiar flavours from his own cuisine.
“I like it and it’s very close to a dish in Trinidad called Doubles. Yeah, so look it up, Trinidad Doubles and look at chhole bhature and it’s something very, very similar,” he mentioned, referring to a beloved breakfast choice from his homeland.
“And I can tell you, when the Indian players come to Trinidad, they have our doubles, they love it,” he concluded.