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New Delhi : Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara Tuesday said he was not overly disappointed at going unsold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction but said the team owners 'missed out' on the broader picture.
Lara, 41, had appeared at the IPL auction for the first time but surprisingly found no takers. Lara, who was here for a cricket clinic at Feroze Shah Kotla, said with his skills and knowledge he could have made a difference in an IPL side.
'I am not overly disappointed. I can understand the reservations of IPL owners and managers. But I feel they missed out on the broader picture. With my skills and knowledge about the game, I feel I could make a difference in a side. About 75 percent of players in IPL are youngsters and I would have liked to help,' Lara said.
'I put my name in the auction, so that I could continue my love affair with India. So may be next year. I will miss IPL but I certainly have a lot to do and I am very busy.'
Asked if he would have liked to become a mentor in any of the IPL side, Lara admitted he was looking for such a role.
'My idea was not only to play 18-19 matches but also make a difference in the dressing room and team meetings. I would have liked to mentor a successful side. I am still able to do so, may be not in IPL but with the Zimbabwe team. Hope something of that kind will come in the IPL next time,' said Lara, who is a batting consultant with the Zimbabwe team.
The way IPL has gone about auctioning the players has not gone well with many former players and Lara conceded that the auction was a bit 'strange'.
'I did not watch the IPL auction, my concern is to play. Well, American leagues have it but they have a draft system. It is not a great situation to be in, a player would not like it. It is a bit strange but IPL is happy with it, so it's ok.'
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'I am not overly disappointed. I can understand the reservations of IPL owners and managers. But I feel they missed out on the broader picture. With my skills and knowledge about the game, I feel I could make a difference in a side. About 75 percent of players in IPL are youngsters and I would have liked to help,' Lara said.
'I put my name in the auction, so that I could continue my love affair with India. So may be next year. I will miss IPL but I certainly have a lot to do and I am very busy.'
Asked if he would have liked to become a mentor in any of the IPL side, Lara admitted he was looking for such a role.
'My idea was not only to play 18-19 matches but also make a difference in the dressing room and team meetings. I would have liked to mentor a successful side. I am still able to do so, may be not in IPL but with the Zimbabwe team. Hope something of that kind will come in the IPL next time,' said Lara, who is a batting consultant with the Zimbabwe team.
The way IPL has gone about auctioning the players has not gone well with many former players and Lara conceded that the auction was a bit 'strange'.
'I did not watch the IPL auction, my concern is to play. Well, American leagues have it but they have a draft system. It is not a great situation to be in, a player would not like it. It is a bit strange but IPL is happy with it, so it's ok.'
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