A great batsman. Very few people achieve the record for the highest individual score in test cricket in their careers. But, only a rare batsman achieves it not once but twice in in his career. That is Brian Charles Lara for you. A man who enjoys the big scene, plays much better when needed for the team. His 153 to win a match against Australia is rated 2nd (yes second, above many other higher scores) in the Wisden greatest innings. To put it in perspective, the other contemporary who scored more international run than him, with more international centuries has "0". Well, i think you would have guessed who the contemporary is.
I always enjoyed watching Lara play. He was an entertainer. I very vividly remember a small passage of play against Pakistan. Wasin Akram just got a wicket of the fifth ball of the first over of a ODI. Lara walks in at 3. He faces his fist ball. It was close to his hips and slightly leg-sided. He just flicks the ball with his bat. It was done so gently I thought he was playing a defensive shot. But when I saw the ball sail into the deep square leg boundary I was awed and realized why people die to watch him. Well, fortunately for India, he never scored many runs. So, i haven't watched much against India. But I did watch some of his great innings. It was a pleasure watching him bat with carefree abandon and for that you deserve a Thank You. Thanks for the entertainment.
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