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Brian Lara lavished praise on the ‘genius’ of Sachin Tendulkar after he returned from a six-month absence to hit a remarkable 141 not out in India’s one-day loss to West Indies in Malaysia.

Tendulkar has been out since March with a shoulder injury but returned to devastating effect with a record 40th one day century in Kuala Lumpur, although the West Indies triumphed in the DLF Cup match on the Duckworth Lewis Method. The 33-year-old smashed 13 fours and five sixes during his remarkable knock and West Indian skipper Lara - himself one of the greatest batsmen ever - thought it was a remarkable innings.

“I think it was a very good pitch other than a small ridge, I think that spoilt it of course, but taking that into consideration Tendulkar played a magnificent innings on such a surface,” said the West Indian captain. “For a guy coming back after six months, it showed how much of a genius he is. We just had to watch him and appreciate him. It was a very special innings by him,” he added.

As for the remainder of the DLF Cup, which also includes Australia, Lara feels it is important that the West Indies reach the final to boost their confidence. “I think it’s very important for us to reach the final here,” added Lara. “We’re playing two of the best teams in the world. We are rated much lower than they are and it is important for us morally, for confidence, to get to the final, to beat one of the teams that are here,” he added.

Source:The News