DNA CONVERSATION: Prithvi Shaw is not me, he’s a mix of Tendulkar & Sehwag, says Brian Lara

While cricket pundits are proclaiming 18-year-old Prithvi Shaw as a rare breed that is a unique mix of Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag, the West Indian legend does not quite agree to the comparisons drawn. In an exclusive interview with  Mandakini, the legend Lara shared among other things why Shaw is different from him and about West Indies chances in the ODIs and T20s in the current tour of India.

Do you see your reflection in Prithvi Shaw?

First of all, Prithvi is a right-hander and he is more of a mix of Sachin Tendulkar and Virendra Sehwag. I remember when I was 18, I was not as powerful as he is. Also, the way we were accustomed to bat was very different back in those days. Prithvi strikes the ball very well and looks a very good player, very solid, somebody who has a great love and passion for the game. I see in him a great appetite to learn and that is the most important thing as no matter how much talent you possess, you must keep learning and he has that humbleness. I know he will keep improving.

Though West Indies have lost the Test series against India, do you think they will fare better in ODIs and T20s?

All depends on the players and the selectors. In the 50-over game it will be difficult for West Indies. India were the favourites even in England, so you can imagine playing them in their home conditions will be very tough for our boys, but I would like to see the fight they put up, some margin of improvement from game one to game five in the one-dayers. Even in T20s India are favourites, but here we also have our share of success as we have won two World Cups. I believe in the possibility of West Indies winning it.

West Indies cricket team has completely lost the sheen it once had. What do you think, how can things be improved?

There is no overnight solution. You got to have a plan as an individual and as an organization. You must assess that plan on every step. If I have seen this team perform badly, then I have also seen them perform extremely well.

My mind goes back to the wonderful Headingley Test match last year against England. We were beaten badly in the first match and we made a comeback in the second. In the series against Pakistan in UAE as well we saw something commendable. I have a lot of faith in players. I believe that there is talent and on occasions, individually, they have shown brilliance and they have also shown their capability as a team, so it is a matter of putting things together more consistently. And this will come only when you have a template for success and I am not sure if that is there.

How long will it take for women’s cricket to come on the same pedestal as that of men’s cricket?

Women have made huge strides over the years. And now you get to see how different tournaments that they play are popularized, especially the World Cup. Every time you switch on the TV you see something or the other happening in women’s cricket. I feel women’s cricket has come a long way and I am sure it will continue to rise.