'We can beat any team on our day'

Brian Lara, the former West Indies batsman, believes the Caribbean side are unpredictable, and that consistency will be key if they have to perform well in the ICC World Cup.

Lara, who is in India as a part of the expert commentary panel for the Indian Premier League, backed his home side to make it to the semifinals, calling them the "surprise element" in the tournament.

"West Indies will have to play some consistent cricket. We've shown that we can beat England or India. We can beat any team on our day. But then we lose against Bangladesh or Afghanistan, and we let it all go away. So, that's what West Indies have to avoid. I would love to see them get to the semifinals," he told the Times of India.

"West Indies, over the last two [T20] World Cups, have been the surprise element. They've always been up there in the opposing team's mind. There have been too many elements joining the dots, gradually but it's happening. So, I don't think any country walks into the game against West Indies anymore thinking it's all over before it starts.

"On the other hand, we are capable of colossal failures, too. So, the surprise element works both ways and that's where West Indies need to keep working," added the left-hander.