Brian Lara may one day be acknowledged as the greatest player ever to pick up a cricket bat, but one thing that will stand out in his career graph is the fact that he did not get to play much in India. He is all ready to make up for that when the West Indies begin their campaign to defend the ICC Champions Trophy against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

The last time Lara played a one-dayer in the country was way back in the 1996 World Cup against India at Gwalior and the last Test match at Mohali in 1995. And he knows he will not get to play much here again, as he is nearing the twilight of his international career. “I will be coming back in January (for a one-day series), and after that I really cannot predict for how long I am going to play, and especially in this part of the world. But my dream, of course, is to play a Test match at the Eden Gardens,” said Lara.

“It’s really unfortunate that I have not got to play much in this part of the world. Yes, it’s been a long time since I played in India. The passion for the sport here is intrinsic. Lord’s has been known as the home of cricket, but in terms of the cricket played here and the following for the game, India’s the place to be,” said Lara.

So Lara is all pepped up for the Champions Trophy and looks forward to making the most if it. “This tournament will be a good platform for me, and I will give my best and hope to entertain Indian fans by making the most of my opportunity,” he said.

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