Brian Lara leaves the ground after the final ODI in Vadodara on Wednesday. (AFP)

Vadodara: As of now, the talismanic Brian Lara is firm on retiring from limited overs cricket after the March-April World Cup. He will, of course, continue doing Test duty for the West Indies.

“My mind is made up... One-day cricket is taking its toll... I can feel that it’s getting too much for my body... Believe me, one limited overs match is equal to three days of Test cricket,” Lara told The Telegraph.

He added: “I don’t intend leaving the sport entirely... I’m going to focus on Test cricket... That’s the form which will drive me after the World Cup, which is getting closer each day.”

But what if his team does really well in cricket’s numero uno tournament and there’s a clamour for him to reconsider?

“I don’t think anything is going to make me reverse my decision... As I’ve said, one-day cricket places a very heavy demand on the body and I’m 37... My knees feel the strain,” Lara responded.

Sadly, Lara’s last ODI innings (perhaps, the final one in all forms) in India ended with his being run out by Irfan Pathan in freak manner. “It’s the first time that I’ve got out that way... It’s not a great way to leave the stage in India, but that’s sport,” he remarked.

The West Indies captain continued: “I’m not sure about the next Test series in India, but I hope the Eden Gardens gets a game... I’ve got very fond memories of India, but I’ve been wanting to play a Test in Calcutta...”

According to the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme, the West Indies won’t feature in a Test series till November 2011. That’s a real long way off, but tours have been arranged at short notice...

Lara, by the way, made his 290th appearance in limited overs cricket on Wednesday and is past the 10,000-run mark. He’s close to 12,000 runs in Tests. Many would die for such a CV.