Former West Indies player and batting legend Brian Lara on Friday said the West Indies should target becoming an improved team by the end of its limited-overs series against India. The West Indies and India will play a three-match T20 International and as many ODI series. India are favourites in their home ground, moreover, their recent form says so.

“…he (Pollard) will have to build a team…playing against India in India is always a tough proposition and he must leave here not necessarily winning but he must leave here a better team after this tournament,” Lara said at an event in Mumbai.

Brian Lara backed Pollard as the team’s captain for the limited-overs format.

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“Over a period of time, his representation for West Indies may not be a lot but he has played all around the World in different leagues. He has gained a lot of respect from the opposition. I didn’t see it as a bad decision (to appoint him as a captain),” Brian Lara told reporters.

“He (Pollard) has easily gained the respect of his team-mates and he can move forward. There is a (T20) World Cup in under 12 months and you are looking for the right person, someone who can keep the ground running. He has that experience to do so. It is a good decision, but it is still going to be an uphill battle,” he explained. “The West Indies are twice (T20 world) champions and a lot of opposition around the world are scared of West Indies in shortest format of the game.”