Overview

• Speaking in Mumbai, Lara urged captain Roston Chase and his teammates to ask whether they have "cricket at heart" and insisted committed players would "find a way."
• He pointed to West Indies' innings defeat to India in Ahmedabad inside three days and the near-empty stands as a stark signal of fading engagement with the format.
• A member of the CWI panel convened after July’s 27 all out, Lara said the board is working on stronger foundations, improved facilities and solutions to stop losing players to franchise leagues.
• Recalling that past greats thrived without superior infrastructure, he said passion to represent the region mattered most and called on young players to seize the chance to play for West Indies.
• He praised India opener Abhishek Sharma for pursuing a Test berth despite T20 success and urged West Indies selectors to prioritize sustained first-class performance over potential alone.