West Indies captain Brian Lara has developed a self-confessed admiration for the way India are handling the Australians. It has nothing to do, either, with his friendship with Sachin Tendulkar, whom he still rates as the world’s top batsman. What has impressed Lara about India’s efforts in Australia is not just the way they have stood up to the Australians but the overall professional approach which has become more obvious the longer the tour progresses.Ahead of Sunday’s first one-day match, Lara — who has, several times on this tour, praised India’s performances — said India’s success was not just linked to the tougher mindset of the current India squad but also the formalising of a centralised contract system.This will be similar to that now in force in Australia, South Africa, England and New Zealand where players have contracts with the professional wing of the game in those countries. ‘‘India are a new international force and this is good for the game as they have shown how class batting can overcome a supposed indomitable side’’, he said.‘‘Many seem to forget that the success of this Indian side has been built around a lot of highly talented individuals who have, in the last three years, been developing a strong self belief’’, Lara said after losing the fourth Test to South Africa at SuperSport Park Centurion. ‘‘It has not just come overnight either, but has made progress through a sound coaching system under their main coach (John Wright) supporting the players.’’India, Lara said, had ‘‘somehow managed to get it right’’. They have batsmen who ‘‘stand up to the hard-nosed Australians’’, something as he points out, teams from the sub-continent have rarely done in the past.‘‘We can learn from this and their professionalism. As they move into an era of centralised contracts we (in the West Indies) should also look favourably on such a system if we want to move forward as a team’’, he added. ‘‘I have already said it is where we must be going.’’
