Wright brings about a silent revolution

By Vijay Lokapally

MARGAO, APRIL 7. The series over, coach John Wright summons the team to his room for a quick meeting. The affable Kiwi puts a lot of value on time and strictly believes in not basking in past glory.

He hands each individual a specific task before they meet again at the camp at Bangalore on May 15 to prepare for the tour to Zimbabwe.

Wright has brought about a silent revolution, working tirelessly behind the scene, to transform the Indian team into a match winning unit. The team now has begun to believe in itself, thanks to this professional on a mission.

Wright's appointment had initially evoked mixed reactions. There were apprehensions regarding his understanding of the Indian system, his reading of the players, his ability to cope with the cultural diversity within the team and to be able to get the best out of a combination of youth and experience. He has now managed to take the first few steps quite successfully.

The series against Australia was seen as a testing field for Wright. He has managed to improve the Indians' attitude and they now understand the importance of developing a strong mind to play strong cricket. Here too, he has managed to make some progress.

Wright has laid great emphasis on togetherness. ``It is this feeling of togetherness that has brought us closer and made us realise our true potential,'' said Javagal Srinath, one of the senior members of the side.

A pep talk before every session, extensive but enjoyable training sessions, cheerful team dinners and meaningful team meetings have been some of the features introduced by Wright during a short time.

``I can tell you he is a very meticulous person. He knows his job well and has a fantastic quality to make us understand our duties. I think he has been a very big influence in shaping our improved performance against Australia,'' informed skipper Sourav Ganguly.

The team dinners are basically supposed to be team- building exercises where players discuss very little about cricket. It helps in instilling team spirit with Wright acting as a constant reminder to the players - telling them what is expected of them.

``Things are much more professional now. Everything and everyone is accounted for. What we have done and what we have to do is constantly analysed. That helps us stay in focus. Wright plays a big role in these matters. Talking tactics, discussing the strong and weak points of each individual. He has a lot of faith in technology and spends time with the computer to frequently analyse our performances. His involvement with the team is total,'' said Srinath.

Wright, like all modern coaches, maintains a data sheet which keeps track of each players's mental and fitness level. Srinath shares his experience.

``He's constantly been talking to me. If he finds me slow on the field he loses no time in telling me and that is what I like most. There is a one-on-one communication now and not through a third person. This kind of talk helps me to improve. Overall there is an improvement because of this healthy interaction between the coach and players. He has shown a lot of confidence in the players,'' stressed Srinath.

What has impressed the players most is the fact that Wright does not treat them differently. There is no senior and junior when it comes to cricket on the field and as Srinath revealed, the coach does not spare anyone. ``It's good to see everyone getting the same treatment,'' agreed Ganguly.

In Rahul Dravid's opinion Wright's appointment was one of the best things that Indian cricket could have hoped for. ``He has had a very positive impact on the players. He can lift the spirit of the team and deal with all of us individually, knowing each player's limitations very well. I think he has been a big influence on us,'' he said.

Dravid will join Ganguly and Wright in a meeting with the Board in Mumbai on Sunday where the team management is expected to raise a few points related to scheduling of matches, especially the Tests, apart from a few technical issues.

The team management was not really pleased with just two days separating the second and third Tests during the recently concluded series.

The coach, Srinath informed, spends lot of time with the players. ``Let me tell you the training sessions, the `nets', have become very enjoyable. He doesn't allow anyone to become complacent and doesn't allow anyone to get carried away by the performances. In fact, he deals with the performers strictly so that they don't lose their focus,'' added Srinath.

Ask V.V.S. Laxman, the new star on the Indian cricket horizon, and he just raves about the coach. It was Wright who walked up to Laxman as he returned to the dressing room at Kolkata at the end of the first innings and told him to keep his pads on. ``You are going in at number three,'' the words were music to Laxman's ears for he had always wanted to occupy that slot. He grabbed the opportunity in that epic innings as India followed-on and then made history by winning the Test. His innings changed the face of Indian cricket.

Laxman said ``he has been a great motivator for all us. No one can question his commitment. He has been a big influence really. I can never forget the assurance and confidence that he has reposed on me. On a personal basis, I was moved by his faith in me. Right from the Zimbabwe series when he saw me bat, he kept telling me how good I was and wanted me to be patient. I can't forget how he helped me realise part of my potential by backing me strongly.''

The same was the case with Harbhajan Singh, whose career took a remarkable stride forward, after Wright backed his selection with full support of the National selectors this time. Harbhajan too was grateful to the coach for backing him. ``Line and length is the basic requirement of bowling but he taught me the importance of it,'' said the genial off-spinner who returns home a hero after plotting the Aussie downfall.

Wright too returns home after an intense series which has left him drained after all the pre-match and post-match planning, some sleepless nights and many daunting challenges which he fought from the dressing room.

He has lots of plans and lots of dreams for this young team, and this win against Australia, as Srinath pointed out, was just the beginning.

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