Watch: Brian Lara in conversation with Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan | Cricket News – Times of India
The Indian cricket team is presently at Tarouba in Trinidad, having played the ODI series decider at the Brian Lara Stadium and winning it by 200 runs to clinch the series.
The ‘Prince of Trinidad’ visited the Men in Blue during their practice session.
The BCCI shared a clip of Lara meeting Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan on their Twitter handle.
The clip starts with Lara saying, “I am so happy to have these two young men Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill at the stadium or the academy in my name.”
Gill says, “All my memories of him (Lara) is smashing the bowlers and taking on the bowlers whenever I used to see him.”
A star-struck Ishan says, “I was very excited once you (Lara) texted me on Instagram and I was actually in shock like how come you texted me, such a legend of this game texted me and I was very happy about it.”
Lara then says, “India is like a second home to me, so I’m looking at young promising cricketers in India, it’s something that I have grown up doing and to just see these guys (Gill and Ishan) at the international stage here at the Brian Lara academy, I feel very very proud.”
India are scheduled to play the 1st T20I of the series at the same venue on Thursday.
In the video posted by the BCCI on its website, Lara feels India’s senior men’s side can field not two but “even a third XI” at the moment.
“And just to see the talent here with this Indian team and so many different teams that they have at the moment, they can pick a second XI and even a third XI. ‘Just to see these guys on this international stage here at the academy, I feel very, very proud,” Lara said during the chat.
Kishan said when young players in the West Indies have someone like Lara, they don’t need to look elsewhere for help.
“I think hunger is the most important thing when it comes to this game. You want to perform well for the team, for yourself, for your family, especially having so many great players here in West Indies they can always interact with them, like you guys,” said Kishan.
“They can come to you (Lara) and talk about it at this beautiful academy, they will get to learn a lot with your experience and everything, so these are little things that will help youngsters.”
When it was Gill’s turn to talk, he said Lara’s flamboyant batting inspired him a lot.
“You used to be one of those people who used to go and straightaway, from ball one, you would take on the bowlers and take on the challenge, and that really inspired us as a kid, to be able to… how to dominate the game in all formats,” Gill said.
During the interaction, Kishan said, “I think for me the most important thing is like the stories I have heard, like you always used to bat till lunch and if you are there on the pitch you go to practice and then again come to bat. So that is something to learn from you.”
“So performing here, where your name is there on the board, it was really special for me to perform here, and I love to watch highlights of your innings, how you used to do that (high backlift) and play shots,” Kishan said.
Gill was also asked about the facility at the stadium.
“I think it’s a great facility, fantastic ground, I have played here actually in 2019 as well and scored a double hundred. So this ground has been good to me.”
The two players said they are looking forward to “have dinner” at Lara’s place.
(With PTI inputs)
