The West Indies legend picks Indian stars for the future, the Aussie and Kiwis commemorate Anzac Day, and a cleanliness drive.
The Indian Premier League is made for television. This time around, the coverage of the world’s most glamorous cricket league on Star Sports has been probably the best ever, thanks largely to the presence of some perceptive commentators, many of them not regular faces and voices.
Brian Lara was definitely one of the biggest attractions, not just because of his stature as one of the legends of the game. The former West Indies captain, who still holds some significant batting records, displayed great insight and made some astonishing predictions that came true, such as Virat Kohli’s hundred against Kolkata Knight Riders and the dismissal of Andre Russell in one of the games.
Lara, however, had to leave the commentary team before the IPL reached its business end. But before his departure, he picked five Indian players for the future – Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and Rahul Chahar.
He feels Shaw could break some of the batting records that he had set. “He is a very attacking player, someone, I believe — with how cricket is being played now — he can target a 400,” Lara said. “But he has to work a little on his technique.”
Lara expects Pant and Samson to take over from M. S. Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik. “Those two guys are pretty much coming to the end of their career,” he said. “I believe Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson can control all the formats of cricket for India. I am very, very impressed with them.”
This story is from the May 18, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 18, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
