|| India Correspondent ||

Former West Indies batting legend Brian Lara has said that batsman shouldn’t forget their basics even if they have been doing well in the shortest format of the game. While speaking to Hindustan Times, Lara adviced all the young cricketers to stick to their ‘foundation of their game’ and have a solid technique as well.

“I know there is Ranji Trophy and 4-day cricket, but just don’t lose the fundamentals of the game. I remember when I started, I played 3 and 4-day games much more. And the one thing that helped me was I had played 25 ODIs before I played my first Test. Before that, I didn’t know how to hit a six! But by the time I got through 5-10 ODIs, I knew I had to learn to hit sixes, to find gaps, to score quickly,” he said.

He further added, “That transferred into my Test cricket, and made me a more aggressive Test cricketer, more exciting to watch. So, my foundation from 3-day-cricket and experience from ODI cricket was used to further my Test cricket, which was the right way of doing it. That’ll be my advice to these wonderful young batsmen: Keep the foundation of your game and good technique, even if they are playing T20 in the biggest league in the world.”

He also praised the speedsters - Jasprit Bumrah and Jofra Archer. The both have been in formidable form in the ongoing Indian Premier League. While Archer played a key role for Rajasthan Royals and provided with early breakthroughs, Bumrah has been instrumental for Mumbai Indians alongside Trent Boult.

“Bumrah and Archer could stand up and be counted in any era of cricket. Whether they were playing in the 2000s, 90s, 80s or even the 70s, they would be up there. And I am not belittling anyone from the past. But these two would be in the echelons of fast bowling in any era I have watched, played in, or am still watching,” said Lara.