New Delhi: Pictures of Brian Lara attending Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in the last edition of cricket's biggest domestic league was a strong statement by the West Indian legend, who - at the age of 41 - wants to play in the IPL, after having being a part of the rebellious and now defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL). The former West Indies captain quit international cricket in 2007 and made a comeback after three years when he decided to play for the Southern Rocks in Zimbabwe's Stanbic Bank Twenty20 competition.
At the age of 41, people will ask whether he has enough ammunition left in his arsenal and will his body be able to take the toll of the shorter version of the game, but the same questions were asked when Shane Warne led Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and barring the last edition of the IPL, Warne has proved that class is forever.
Lara was all for IPL when he visited India earlier this year. He had said, "It is an awesome concept. IPL is into its third year. They had a season in South Africa and this year it is back in India. I like the concept of franchise (-based cricket) with the private investors coming in."
If Lara makes up his mind and declares himself available for IPL-4, then what? Which franchises can jump in to buy their man?
Though Lara hasn't played much competitive cricket ever since his retirement, there is little doubt he will give the bowlers some nightmares. And even though he hasn't played too much of T20 cricket, he's too good a cricketer to not be able to come to terms with the high-octane action of the IPL.
Owned by King Khan, there have been rumours that Kolkata Knight Riders are all set to let go of skipper Sourav Ganguly. So will another left-hander replace Ganguly as skipper of the side or will it be Mumbai who will try and set up the two Gods (Sachin Tendulkar and Lara) together or will it be new franchise Pune who will make this southpaw captain of their team?
Pune will surely be gunning for a few big names and Lara will be perfect fit for their plans. He has all qualities in him to lead a side to the IPL glory. Sahara-owned Pune will surely be looking for a leader who has an aura like Shane Warne and Lara surely fits the bill.
On the other hand, SRK will hope to get a genuine match-winner into an ailing team, who can take Kolkata all the way which Sourav Ganguly has failed to do in three attempts. Kolkata lack a player in the middle order and Lara can be very crucial in the middle and death overs. He has the ability to pace the innings according to the situation.
If Sourav Ganguly stays in the Kolkata side, then from the look of the things time is up for Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle in the KKR squad and who better than Lara to fill that void.
Sachin may also advise his team owners to bid for old competitor Lara and if that happens, Mumbai Indians can be seen as the favourite to snatch him from fellow bidders. Owned by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, Mumbai surely has the money to spend big.
And with both Sachin and Lara on song, it will surely be a treat for the audience in the stadium and in front of their TV sets.
But that all will happen only if the legendary West Indian makes up his mind to have a go in the million-dollar league. And the odds are loaded in favour of him willing to take a bite.
Source: IBNLIVE.com
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