Lara bats for Dada in IPL snub issue

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara said that not much should be read into him and former India Test captain Sourav Ganguly ending up without any bidders in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Bangalore.

"I am fine with it. You can't play down a player like Ganguly just because he was not sold. It should not tarnish his achievements. He was one of the best leaders India ever had," Lara, who was here for a cricket clinic, said.

The Trinidadian however, had no resentment after being snubbed by the high-profile Indian franchises. "I am not overly disappointed," Lara said.

"I have no resentment. But I think the owners missed the broader picture. The teams have 75 per cent of young Indian cricketers.

"I would have brought a lot of knowledge to the dressing room. I could have made a difference as a mentor to the team. At 41, I am not really looking at playing some 20-odd matches.

"I was looking at the IPL as an opportunity to continue my love affair with India."