Strong nucleus has helped India: Wright
John Wright has played no mean role in instilling a strong self-belief that has galvanised the players into a collective unit
Kolkata: If India is ranked the top team among the Test-playing countries today, John Wright, the team's first-ever foreign coach, has played no mean role in instilling a strong self-belief that has galvanised the players into a collective unit keen to leave their mark.
When Gulf News asked Wright what he thought of India's feat, he said it was a dream come true.
GULF NEWS: India is the best Test-playing nation now. Your thoughts?
JOHN WRIGHT: It's really very satisfying. I have been receiving telephone calls from not only India but also from England and Australia asking me to give my reactions.
Did you ever think that India would rank number one in Tests?
Actually, we also had the same dream; this is called a dream-come-true situation. Sourav Ganguly was the captain of the Indian cricket team then. The seniors used to meet regularly during the first phase and we had set this target of reaching the next level before ourselves. We knew that we had to play consistently well, and if we could do so, one day, we would reach the number one position.
What would you say are the main reasons for India becoming the top Test team in the ICC ranking?
There is no doubt that right now India is the most balanced side. At home, they are dangerous. And they deserved the number one rank. At the same time, it should be remembered that all other teams had disintegrated while the Indians successfully kept their nucleus almost the same.
Any other reason?
See there are two basic conditions for winning. One, a pair of solid openers which the Indians have in Sehwag and Gambhir. I think they are the best in the world now. Second, a pair of good fast bowlers in Zaheer and Ishant. Now they have brought Sreesanth back into the team, it will add more variety and edge.
You should also be credited for this achievement since the transformation process started under you.
No, no, I'm no way near the team now. Because of the presence of cricketers like Sachin, Anil, Rahul and Sehwag, the team was always in the right direction. Accidentally, I was there, too! I am happy to be the first foreign coach of India and I am sure if you can improve the infrastructure, India will produce a lot of world-class cricketers.
