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When West Indies toured India in 2007, India won the first two matches in Nagpur and Cuttack. For the third match, Lara skipped Chennai and flew to Goa to take a break
Brian Lara, batting at number 5, scored an impressive 83 runs off 88 balls, leading his team to victory. (PTI/File)
In cricket, players often fall into two categories: those who toil tirelessly in the nets and give their all on the field, and those gifted with innate talent, seemingly exerting less effort but shining brightly in matches. Brian Charles Lara epitomised the latter.
When the West Indies visited India for a one-day series in 2007, Lara, already a holder of multiple world records, instilled fear in Indian bowlers. His distinctive back lift and powerful shots were major attractions. However, after underperforming in the first two matches, Lara mysteriously left the team but made a spectacular comeback.
From Casino To Crease
When West Indies toured India in 2007, the initial matches in Nagpur and Cuttack were won by India. For the third match, both teams travelled from Cuttack to Chennai, except for Lara, who flew to Goa to take a break from the game due to his poor performance.
The third match was scheduled for January 27, and Lara was absent from Chennai in the morning. He suddenly returned to the pavilion in the afternoon and was included in the squad.
India batted first, scoring 268 runs. Lara, batting at number 5, scored an impressive 83 runs off 88 balls, leading his team to victory with a 127-run partnership with Samuels. His performance showed no signs of the two-day hiatus spent partying.
Five Days In The Bathroom
Reflecting on his early career in the Stick to Cricket podcast, the former cricket legend recalled his early Test days, saying, “My first Test match was in Trinidad and I got a letter from the board that you are in the team. Report for practice tomorrow at 9 am, and I reached there at 8 am, started a little practice with my brother at Queen’s Park Oval and then the team came. And these were all my heroes—Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Malcolm Marshall, all were big players and they went to the dressing room. In those days the dressing room was small and I told my brother, ‘Now it’s time to say hello to my teammates.’”
Lara added, “When I was going towards the dressing room, my cricket bag came flying out of the dressing room and everything got scattered. I picked it up, packed it back and went to the dressing room again. In fact, the place where I kept my bag was actually the same place where Sir Vivian Richards used to keep his bag. This is how I spent the first five days of my Test career in the bathroom.”
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