Though India suffered the thrashing whitewash in the recent Test series in New Zealand, the legendary Caribbean cricketer Brian Lara believes that India are still the best travelling team in the present world cricket.
From the beginning of the 21st century, India started to taste some regular success in the away tours. In the last decade, especially under the Virat Kohli’s captaincy, India have achieved better success in the overseas tours. While they are continuously focusing for the top rank in every international cricket format, India are holding the top position in the Test team rankings for a long time.
However, most recently, the Indian national cricket team suffered the poor defeats in the New Zealand tour. Though they started that tour by winning the five-match T20I series (5-0), later they suffered whitewashes in the three-match ODI and two-match Test series in that tour. India even failed to put fights in that Test series.
But Lara still feels that India are the best travelling team in present world cricket. Talking about the recent unsuccessful New Zealand tour, Lara considered that an aberration.
Lara told ESPNcricinfo, “I think India have been travelling very well in the last ten or so years. What happened in New Zealand, I think it’s more of an aberration, I think coming off so much one-day and T20 cricket, it might have been tough for them in the Test arena outside of India. But I think India is still maybe the best travelling team in the world.”
It’s going to be a great World Cup to look at: Brian Lara about the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020
The top cricket teams are now preparing for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020. Australia will host this tournament from 18th October to 15th November 2020.
Talking about the favourites of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020, Brian Lara has chosen three teams. His favourite sides for this tournament are India, the hosts Australia and the two-time champions West Indies.
Lara claimed, “In terms of a team, obviously I want to see the West Indies go all the way and win.
“India, with the fact that they produce so much international cricketers through their league (Indian Premier League) has enhanced every single player who plays for India. I mean KL Rahul is my favourite player in the world, I love watching him and I think India is going to be a force to reckon with.
“Australia at home… it’s not going to be an easy World Cup for anyone. Australia is going to be worried about India and the West Indies, West Indies are going to be worried about everybody because of their inconsistency sometimes. So it’s going to be a great World Cup to look at.”
West Indies will feature in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 as the defending champions. Meanwhile, India only won the inaugural edition of this tournament (2007) while Australia haven’t won a trophy in this tournament history.