NEW DELHI: An affectionate, nostalgic expression of family, a joyful countenance at every turn, and, to cap it all, a fiery, delicious dish of "
chhole bhature
"
West Indies cricket great
Brian Lara
loves India and for a change, Bollywood has got nothing to do with it.
Currently in the country doing commentary for Star Sports during the ongoing Indian Premier League, the 55-year-old did not disguise his fondness for the nation where cricket is an obsession as he stopped by the PTI headquarters for a lighthearted conversation with its editors.
"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," he quipped with a wide grin on his face, turning on the charm offensive.
"But what I do like about India is the unconditional love," he quickly added.
Lara, who is regarded as one of the all-time great batters and one of the most recognizable cricket players worldwide, said that the hospitality he has received in India is what keeps his love for the country strong.
"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," he said.
"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 said while trying to explain what makes India so special for him.
"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," he added.
But not every experience he's had in India has been positive. Despite accepting that his time as Sunrisers Hyderabad's coach ended in a "bad" fashion, Lara, the legendary player from the West Indies, still believes his team will go to the IPL playoffs this year.
The Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Chennai Super Kings are his other three selections.
"...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," Lara said.
Coming back to 'chhole bhature', Lara said the popular north-Indian street food meal is very similar to something he is used to eating at home.
"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 said referring to a popular breakfast option back home.
"And I can tell you, when the Indian players come to Trinidad, they have our doubles, they love it," he revealed.
Coaching over commentary
Although Lara is enjoying his role as commentator right now, there are certainly hurdles involved.
"One of the things, the challenges that I have is sort of getting excited and sort of creating excitement for the crowd when I believe something average has happened," he said rather candidly.
"So, a guy plays a big cover drive and it's inside edge for four and I have to get excited for it, it's kind of tough," he explained.
But then there are moments he enjoys too.
"But to be a part of the IPL and to be a part of a cricket game and say, for instance, when
Shamar Joseph
picked up those seven wickets in that Test match in Australia, and to be able to call that period is exciting in itself," he recalled referring to the seven-wicket burst by Joseph while bowling with a broken toe.
His real passion, though, is coaching young players.
"You know, my number one, I think, experience that I have is coaching. I think working with young players and seeing them grow is wonderful...I don't like being too critical of players and I like keeping my opinion sometimes behind closed doors, so it's a learning experience for me being a commentator," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
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