WI vs IND: Alick Athanaze reveals how Brian Lara's insights helped him find his rhythm

Alick Athanaze, the young West Indian batter, has rapidly transformed from a nervous debutant into an impactful player, leaving spectators in awe of his talent. Influenced by his idol Brian Lara, he created ripples in the cricketing world with his explosive half-century on his ODI debut against the UAE, firmly establishing his presence on the international stage.

Having worked with Lara during West Indies' Test series in South Africa, Athanaze gained invaluable insights into the game. Conversations with the legendary batter helped him hone his skills and boosted his confidence.

"For me, it has been really good...judging lengths and trying to get ahead of the bowler," Athanaze said on his conversations with Lara as quoted by India Today.

Athanaze's journey to international cricket stands as a testament to his perseverance. It took him five years to get a spot in West Indies team even though he was the the highest run-scorer in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup. While he missed out on the ODI World Cup Qualifiers this year, he made his Test debut against India on July 12. 

The anticipation of his Test cap against India on home soil kept Athanaze sleepless. In the presence of his parents, witnessing him play live for the first time, the occasion was special for his entire family. Athanaze confessed, "I didn't sleep a lot... It was just excitement, I'm happy for the opportunity."

When the moment finally arrived, Athanaze embraced the challenge with zeal. Though denied a dream fifty by Shardul Thakur, his shot-making abilities shone through. In an impressive innings, he struck six boundaries and one maximum and looked solid against pace and composed against spin. 

Athanaze's journey from a newbie to a confident Test player has been remarkable. His test debut against India served as a platform to showcase his skills and announce his arrival on the international scene. With Lara's influence and his own determination, Athanaze is poised to make a lasting impact on West Indies cricket.