Sachin will return to form in World Cup : Lara

Chennai, Jan 26 (UNI) West Indies capitan Brain Lara today 'predicted' that Sachin Tendulkar will return to form in the coming World Cup.

The legendary left hand batsman, who played cricket with children from various schools and gave them tips at the Santhome High school which has produced some talented cricketers, he said, ''There is no doubt about Sachin's talent.'' ''He will be back from the lean patch even before the World Cup,'' he observed.

''Every player has ups and downs in his career whether he is a batsman or a bowler,'' Lara said, adding, ''Even I was out of form several times. It does not mean that it will be so for ever.'' The West Indian captain also said ''player like Sachin, who is a lot more consistant than me, has lot more to give to his team.'' ''Though individuals show their talents, cricket is a game of team work,'' he said.

Answering a question on who was the most difficult bowler to handle for him, Lara said it was former Pakistan captain and speedster Wasim Akram. In the Indian team he found leggie Anil Kumble and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh difficult to handle.

However, the programme got up by ING and Vysya Bank, turned out to be a fiasco of sorts for mediapersons, especially lensemen as they were not permitted to take pictures of Lara playing with the children.

UNI