IND vs WI 2025: ‘Do they really want to play for the West Indies?’ - Brian Lara questions Roston Chase and team

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has attributed the team’s recent struggles to a lack of funds and technological resources, while also urging players to display greater passion and commitment to compete more effectively on the international stage. Following the West Indies’ defeat to India in the first Test in Ahmedabad, Roston Chase had brought up issues related to infrastructure shortcomings and financial struggles across the Caribbean cricket setup.

Lara echoed those sentiments, emphasising that while financial and structural challenges persist, the players’ mindset and hunger for success must also improve. These concerns were discussed by the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee of Cricket West Indies (CWI), of which both Lara and Chase are members.

"If you want to get things done, you have to have the capital to do it. So that is a major part. But at the same time, I would like to urge Roston Chase and the other guys to, do they have cricket at heart? Do they really want to play for the West Indies? And that is the most important thing because you would find a way,” Lara said on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai on Tuesday as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"I mean we did not have better facilities 30-40 years ago. Viv Richards didn't bat on any better practice pitches or anything. We had to do the same thing, the same grind; but the passion was different. The passion to play for the West Indies was different. So, I urge the young players to realise that this is a wonderful opportunity. And I am almost sure that every single one of their parents would have had in the back of their mind, their son playing for the West Indies, their son doing well for the West Indies because it meant a lot back in those days. So, I agree with [Chase on West Indies' struggles for finances], but I still believe there is an onus on each young player to create that love and desire to play for West Indies,” he added.

CWI should find a way to play for country: Lara

Lara also acknowledged that players should not be blamed for seeking lucrative deals in franchise cricket, noting that the CWI needs to make it financially attractive for players to represent the region.

"I can't blame any single player for wanting to pursue cricket as a career outside of the West Indies - because the disparity in what's happening, playing five or six franchise leagues, compared to playing for the West Indies, is different [in monetary terms]. And you have to have empathy with that player. But you also have to feel what can we do at home to make sure that that player, or future players, understand that playing for the West Indies is also very important,” said Lara.

"The IPL has carved out a period of time where it's exclusive to the IPL. But there's six or seven different leagues popping up around the world, and everybody's wanting to do it. So, I think the onus is on Cricket West Indies to find a way to create, unify the efforts of the young players who want to go out, but also have them playing for us. And a series against India, we want to play good cricket against the best team in the world. So you want your best players out there. You don't want your best players in America or somewhere else around the world,” he added.

If Messi can do it, West Indies cricket also can: Lara

To illustrate this point, Lara cited football legend Lionel Messi, who has spent his entire club career outside his home country but has remained an integral part of Argentina’s national team, showing that players can balance club commitments while serving their country.

"I mean if you look at Argentina, Messi grew up in Europe, but he plays for Argentina. But he played for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and he was allowed [to play]. And there's a lot more South American footballers that do that, and eventually go back and play for their country, and have the pride to do so,” said Lara.

"Australia is able to do it. England is able to do it, to keep their players loyal to their country. So, we have to find a way to do that and not point any fingers at anybody. It's just that we've got to come together as a team, as administrators, as coaches, as players. And really and truly if you have West Indies cricket at heart, you will find a way to move forward,” he added.

You need time to mature in cricket: Lara

The batting department has been a persistent area of struggle for the visitors. The squad touring India does not feature a single batter averaging 30 or more in Test cricket. While promising talents such as Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kavem Hodge, and Mikyle Louis have broken into the team, none have been able to cement their place as regulars, leaving the side vulnerable against stronger oppositions.

"I believe that if a player is being picked on potential only and he does not have the stats to go with it, it is very difficult for him now to get to this higher level, and [to] expect so much from him. I believe that because of that situation, you would find players that are maturing later on. So, it is either you stick with them - age 22, 23, 24, 25 hopefully reap the benefit when they get into their late 20s - or you look at players that are seasoned, Jason Holder and the guys who may have matured. And if you remember, Graham Gooch scored the majority of his runs in his 30s. A guy like Adam Gilchrist, Mike Hussey, all these guys started playing late, and they came out to be some of the best in the world,” said Lara.

”So you are going to find, once in a lifetime, the Tendulkars. Age 16, 17, Afridi, the Garfield Sobers who were in their teenage years, they were able to cope with it immediately. Everybody is not going to be blessed with that sort of talent. So, I am hoping that I would like to see a stronger first-class performance before you get into the international scene. Back in my day, you had to break records. You sat and watched cricket for two years, 20 Test matches, carried the towel, carried the water before you finally got in. And during that period of time, you grew, you matured. And some mature faster than others,” he concluded.