Sir Vivian, widely regarded one of the greatest cricketers of all time, returns to the country where he famously made an unbeaten 192 runs in 1974 in what was only his second test match.

Sir Vivian, now 58, will be involved in several personal and national network meetings during his stay in India and will also act as a mentor to the Antigua and Barbuda team by giving psychological peps talks to strengthen the athlete’s confidence and focus.

The West Indian actually accompanied the Antigua and Barbuda’s Commonwealth Games team at the 2006 Games in Melbourne and have travelled to the Indian capital alongside the country President, Secretary General and 1st Vice President of Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Committee, Senator E.P. Chet Greene, Cliff Williams and Wilbur Harigan respecitvely and the country's Sports Minister Winston Williams.

The Antigua and Barbuda delegation for the Games is made up of 19 athletes and nine officials, including Sir Vivian.

He has urged them not to be fazed by the different conditions they will encounter here.

"What I can say, is that, through my cricketing exploits in that part of the world [India] I have always have a great experience," said Sir Vivian.

"Culturally, the friendship is as good as any and, knowing the passion for sports in that part of the world, I guess that at the end of the day when the Games start the hospitality of the people would basically shine through.

"Before the football World Cup, South Africa were under heavy scrutiny.

"You are going to get these complaints.

"I can only speak from my experience  but being in that part of the world everything is not going to be perfect.

"My experience here has always been a great one, though.

"The Indian folks are some of the best people you can find in terms of their enthusiasm for sports.

"They are second to none where their passion level is concerned.

"Because of all these and the times I would have had I can only expect the same on this particular trip to Delhi."

Antigua and Barbuda have competed in seven Commonwealth Games, the first of which was at Kingston in 1966.

They did not compete for 16 years after taking part at the Games in Edmonton in 1978, returning only in 1994 at Victoria.

They have competed in every Commonwealth Games since but are still yet to win their first Commonwealth Games medal.

They would have a strong contender here in the shape of Daniel Bailey, a 24-year-old sprinter who won a bronze medal in the 60 metres at the World Indoor Championships in Doha earlier this year.

But he has controversially decided to miss the Games to begin his preparations for next year's World Championships in Daegu.

In Bailey's absence, Antigua's hopes are resting on high jumper James Grayman (pictured), the 2007 Pan American bronze medallist.

Grayman, though, will have to go some in cricket-obsessed India to overshadow Sir Vivian, who in 121 Test matches scored a then world record record 8,540 runs, including 24 centuries.

Sir Vivian is looking forward to passing on that knowledge to Antigua's team.

"I think the first time we travelled we went to Melbourne, Australia [in 2006] and that to me was a pretty enjoyable trip; meeting the athletes, going to the Games Village and obviously [speaking] with all the delegates from around the Commonwealth itself," he said.

"The last time, I went with Chet Greene and his committee and all the other members, I felt that they were so efficient; just their professionalism coming from a small island, so I’m really looking forward to Delhi this time."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]