Cricket legend Brian Lara has fiercely questioned the West Indies’ dedication to Test cricket following their crushing defeat to India in the first Test held in Ahmedabad. Speaking at a Mumbai event, Lara passionately stated that the team could still rebuild if their hearts were truly committed to the sport.
“I would like to urge Roston Chase and the other players: do they truly have cricket at heart? Do they genuinely want to represent West Indies? That is the most crucial question because if the desire is there, you will find a way, you will always find a way,” Lara asserted.
Lara drew comparisons to past West Indies greats, highlighting how previous generations excelled despite limited resources, suggesting a lack of similar hunger in today’s players.
“We didn’t have superior facilities 30-40 years ago. Legends like Viv Richards didn’t practice on better pitches. We faced the same challenges, the same grind, but the passion was undeniably different. The passion to play for the West Indies was immense,” he explained, imploring the current squad to cherish their opportunity.
The West Indies team, currently on a two-Test tour of India under Captain Roston Chase, suffered an innings defeat within three days in Ahmedabad. This heavy loss has reignited widespread discussions about the viability of red-ball cricket for smaller nations.
“When you observe the ‘Big Three’ – England, Australia, and India – and their Test series like the Ashes or India’s tours, you realize there’s no greater display of cricket. I sincerely hope Test cricket doesn’t fade away, but its sustainability in smaller nations, those struggling to attract large crowds or major sponsors, is truly challenging their financial foundations,” Lara commented.
Lara, a member of the Cricket West Indies review panel formed after the team’s record-low total of 27 earlier this year, emphasized that the problems run deeper than a single poor performance. “The embarrassment of scoring just 27 runs – nobody wants that. But that wasn’t the sole issue,” he clarified. “The core problem lies deep within: how we foster the game, the need to upgrade facilities, and ultimately, how we help cricketers become far more competitive.”
He further noted that the rise of franchise cricket continues to diminish West Indies’ strength, stressing that the board “must find a solution” to ensure players remain committed to the traditional longer format of the game.
Additionally, Lara shared a positive anecdote, praising India’s opener Abhishek Sharma, whom he worked with at Sunrisers Hyderabad. “He is truly something special. It’s remarkable that even with all his T20 success, he still aspires to make it into the Test team, which speaks volumes about his ambition,” Lara concluded.