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Untitled Document
 Good for India to beat Australia in Australia: Lara
12th Mar 2008 21:02 IST
Agencies
India's performance in recent times has been creditable but the real challenge will now be to maintain their consistency, according to West Indian great Brian Lara, who lauded the leadership skills of Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The West Indian legend said defeating Australia on their home soil was remarkable but India will to prepare themselves for a backlash from the World Champions, who will look to return stronger and avenge the defeat.
"It's really good for India to beat Australia in Australia despite having a new captain leading in Tests and one-dayers. But Australia is going to come stronger and look for revenge. Hard work is going to start now," Lara said.
"Anil (Kumble) and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni have done well but they will have to be on guard and not be complacent with the one-day Tri-Series win. They have to maintain the consistency," he said on the sidelines of a promotional function at a hotel in New Delhi today.
India had defeated Australia 2-0 in the recently concluded best-of-three Tri-Series final, ending their ill-tempered tour Down Under on a positive note.
On Sachin Tendulkar's electrifying performance in the two finals, Lara said there was never any doubt about the master batsman's calibre but former Australian coach John Buchanan had provoked the Indian before the series.
"I have said it many times that he is a great player. I don't want to repeat it. But (John) Buchanan made a mistake by lighting up fire under Sachin before the start of the series," he said.
Buchanan had said that Tendulkar would find it difficult to handle the short-pitched deliveries by the Australian fast bowlers.
Lara said the Twenty20 format of cricket had potential to grow into something bigger because it gave the players more options to play and earn.
"I am happy to have played some Test and one-dayers but Twenty20 is an interesting form. I am happy that I'm considered to play in this short format also," said Lara, who announced his retirement from international cricket after failing to lead the West Indies to the ODI World Cup win at home.
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