Lara says Dhoni should get another chance

Mumbai, Jan 13 : Legendary West Indies batsmen Brian Lara Friday backed beleaguered India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni saying he needs another chance despite the team's poor run in away Tests since the white-wash in England last year.

"I think he deserves a chance. He had success in the World Cup, the Twenty20 World Cup, the 50-over games. I think given his achievements so far, he deserves another chance and everyone should come out and support him," Lara said.

Lara said fans obviously won't be happy with India's six consecutive losses in away Tests since last summer.

"Obviously what happened in England and what is happening in Australia, no Indian would be happy with the situation. But a captain has to have the right team for the right condition. Generally it's a difficult period now. However, if you switch the series to India you could see different results," said the Trinidadian, who has scored nearly 12,000 runs in 131 Tests.

Lara said an inexperienced bowling attack was putting pressure on Indian batsmen.

"What I would say is the bowling department is weak and the pressure weighs on the minds of the batsmen. If the opposition batsmen are regularly going to score 500 runs, it's going to put any batting team under pressure.

"I think India has got a great batting line-up but they would always be under pressure. First of all, if they are not going to get 20 wickets, they are not going to win a Test match. So what are your options... to try and get 400-500 but they (opposition) are going to score 600-700," he said.

Asked if Sachin Tendulkar will soon get his 100th international century, Lara said: "I don't think he is missing the trick. You guys (media) are missing the trick. I watched him bat in the last four innings. He looked flawless. He looked like scoring that elusive hundred every time. Unfortunately, he is up against guys who will not give up. He gets a good delivery, little lapse in concentration... and the opposition fully know that they don't want him to score it against them."

Lara said even if Tendulkar doesn't achieve his century it wouldn't make him a lesser player.

"But Sachin is a great player. Obviously, if he had wanted to score it (100th century) against the West Indies he would have played in the one-day series. We will have to wait for it and appreciate it. Even if it doesn't happen, it doesn't make him a lesser player."

"He has 99 centuries. Anyone would love to have a record like that. For me, he is the best player in the world, at least the best batsman," said Lara.