Kieron Pollard is the right player to lead West Indies : Brian Lara

Brian Lara, the former iconic batsman from West Indies wants that the Kieron Pollard led side should target on becoming an improved side at the end of the limited over series against India. The Caribbean side will begin their tour to India with a three-match T20I series followed by an ODI series.

The Indian selectors have announced a full-strength squad in T20Is and ODIs that makes them the favourite to win the series. On the other hand, Kieron Pollard and Co looks quite an inexperienced side in comparison to the hosts. However, it will be a big opportunity for the young cricketers to come up with some convincing performances against the heavy-duty side.

Brian Lara backs Kieron Pollard’s appointment as the West Indies skipper

Brian Lara feels that playing against India in India is always an uphill task. It is not always about winning but West Indies cricket team is expected to leave as a better team at the end of the tour. He backed the decision taken by their cricket board to appoint Pollard as the skipper of the national side.

According to him, the right-handed all-rounder holds the experience of playing in many different leagues for so long. Moreover, he has earned a good reputation against his opponents as well, so it doesn’t seem like a bad decision.

“He (Pollard) will have to build a team…playing against India in India is always a tough proposition and he must leave here not necessarily winning but he must leave here a better team after this tournament. Over a period of time, his representation for West Indies may not be a lot but he has played all around the World in different leagues. He has gained a lot of respect from the opposition. I didn’t see it as a bad decision (to appoint him as a captain),” Lara said during an event as quoted by India Today.

He also added that the T20 World Cup is less than 12 months away and Pollard is the perfect player to lead the national team. However, it doesn’t mean that his task his over and the skipper is still left to battle out many obstacles in his way in the future.

“He (Pollard) has easily gained the respect of his team-mates and he can move forward. There is a (T20) World Cup in under 12 months and you are looking for the right person, someone who can keep the ground running. He has that experience to do so. It is a good decision, but it is still going to be an uphill battle,” he added.

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