
Brian Lara Says His Batting Style is Closer to Kohli than Duckett
The art of batting in cricket is a complex and nuanced one, with each player bringing their unique style and approach to the game. In recent years, we’ve seen a shift towards more unconventional strokes, with players like Ben Duckett and Jos Buttler regularly using reverse sweeps and other unorthodox shots to great effect. However, former West Indies captain Brian Lara has spoken out about his own batting style, saying that he sees himself more closely aligned with traditionalists like Virat Kohli than with the more aggressive, unconventional players.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Lara said, “I would have been one of the players who would have, instead of playing a reverse sweep down to third man, would have hit them over extra cover.” This statement suggests that Lara, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, prefers a more traditional approach to batting, focusing on playing straight and hitting the ball between the wickets rather than trying to play tricks with the field.
This is not necessarily a criticism of players like Duckett, who have had great success with their unorthodox shots. However, it does highlight the different approaches that different players take to the game, and the importance of finding an approach that suits one’s own style and strengths.
Kohli, in particular, is known for his traditional approach to batting. He is a master of playing straight and hitting the ball between the wickets, and has been incredibly successful as a result. Lara, who played in a different era, also focused on playing traditional shots, and his batting style was characterized by its elegance and simplicity.
One of the key differences between Lara and players like Duckett is their approach to defending. Lara was renowned for his ability to play long, patient innings, and was often able to wear down opposition bowlers with his defensive skills. In contrast, players like Duckett are often more aggressive in their approach, looking to score quickly and take the attack to the bowlers.
This difference in approach is reflected in the way that the two players score their runs. Lara’s batting average of 52.88 is one of the highest in Test cricket history, and he was known for his ability to play big innings. In contrast, Duckett’s batting average is slightly lower, at 39.14, although he has still had a number of big scores in his career.
It’s worth noting that Lara’s comments should not be seen as a criticism of players like Duckett, who have had great success with their unorthodox shots. Rather, they highlight the different approaches that different players take to the game, and the importance of finding an approach that suits one’s own style and strengths.
In conclusion, Brian Lara’s comments about his batting style being closer to Virat Kohli’s than Ben Duckett’s highlight the different approaches that different players take to the game. While players like Duckett have had great success with their unorthodox shots, Lara’s traditional approach to batting was characterized by its elegance and simplicity. Ultimately, the most important thing is to find an approach that suits one’s own style and strengths, and to be true to oneself as a batsman.