The Wright man for the job

It has been a year now since John Wright took over as the Indian cricket coach, and this is as good a time as any to look back on what has been an eventful year for Indian cricket. It would be worthwhile to examine Wright's personal contribution to a rather dramatic phase in which the Indian team has had its fair share of ups and downs.

It must be recalled that Wright took over the position at a very critical juncture. Kapil Dev, his predecessor, resigned midway through his two-year term after playing a cat-and-mouse game with the Board of Control for Cricket in India in the wake of the match-fixing allegations hurled at him. Secondly, it was not smooth sailing even as Wright was appointed. No one doubted his credentials as a player, captain and coach, but criticism centered around whether a foreign coach was the panacea to the ills plaguing the Indian team. Many felt that there were enough former Indian players with the necessary qualifications. Thirdly, Wright himself had to fend off the candidatures of Greg Chappell and Geoff Marsh to get the job. But he did have the backing of former Australian captain Bobby Simpson, who had served in the capacity of advisor for some time, and Rahul Dravid, who already seen at close quarters Wright's style of functioning while fulfilling his contract with Kent last summer.

The victorious series against Zimbabwe last November was the first with Wright in charge. There was certainly no overnight transformation in Indian cricket, but, over the past year, there is little doubt that there has been a certain professionalism in the approach. Greater emphasis has been laid on matters of fielding and physical fitness, and, while he has also touched upon some of the basics, aspects like running between the wickets remain a problem. But he has definitely been responsible for making the players mentally tougher, not sparing anyone, and his frank appraisals have gone down well. His honesty is patent, and his observations are analytical and to the point.

At the time he took over, Wright said "discipline and team effort" were the two aspects on which he would concentrate. In an interview, he said, "I believe in discipline and team effort. Individual achievements are not all that important. I want all the 11 players in the team to function as a unit." It was just as well, for a common complaint was that the Indians looked strong as individuals but weak as a team. He also made it clear that his main target was the World Cup in South Africa. "I will be building up the team keeping in mind the 2003 World Cup. I firmly believe that India has the talent to match any other side in international cricket," he said.

There was another positive aspect to Wright's appointment. Board circles felt that he would not be biased towards any of the factions that normally exist in the Indian set-up. From this viewpoint, it has been a healthy sign since the players have been encouraged to perform better and not expect any favouritism whatsoever from the coach. But then, in all his roles, Wright has been a quiet achiever. Never one for the grandiose stance or plans, his motto has been simple and straightforward - knuckle down and do your job well.

Wright's professionalism was seen immediately in the use of the latest computer technology to formulate crucial strategies. This was an aspect that no Indian coach had covered. On landing in India, he went straight to Bangalore to purchase the right software. He also insisted that instilling the pride of playing for the country would be the topmost priority, a happy theory, for what is a coach if not a motivator?

By having the knack of saying the right thing at the right time, there were indications that he was the right man for Indian cricket. Over the past year, he has developed a close rapport with the captain, the players and the physio. And, even if the results have not exactly been spectacular, they have not been poor either. Far from it, in fact. Any balance sheet that displays arguably the greatest series triumph at home has to have a healthy, if not opulent, overall look.

Indian cricket followers have always been impatient. Expecting fast results, we are too quick to hire and fire, when what is really needed is understanding, patience and perseverance. There are certain inherent weaknesses in Indian cricket that Wright is working on. These will not go away overnight. He himself made it clear at the beginning of his tenure that he was building a team for the 2003 World Cup. Let us give him time till then.