John Wright, one of the architects behind a turnaround in India’s mindset en route to becoming the No.1 side in Tests, tells DNA that Indians have the will, ability and also the system to remain on top.
Are you aware that India has become the world No.1 Test team?
I got a call from The Independent in London. They asked me about Sehwag being close to his third triple century. Journalists in New Zealand too have been asking and writing about it. So I have been following the series. I actually follow all the matches that India play.
What’s your take on India’s achievement?
India deserves this — not only the players and the Board but also the fans. I’m very pleased for your country. They are the best in the world and they truly understand and celebrate their cricketers’ success. I’m happy for them.
Did you ever think that India would go on top?
I always knew that India has the ability to become the best Test team in the world. I’m so pleased for the players, Gary (Kirsten), Paddy (Upton) and the BCCI. I know the Board is a tough task master but it is fantastic. I’m very pleased.
There is a perception that some credit is due to you. You have instilled in them the belief that they can be the No.1...
I think Sourav (Ganguly) and the senior players like Rahul (Dravid) and Anil (Kumble) should deserve credit for that. I know Sourav and Anil have retired but I was lucky to have some fantastic five-six senior players — Sourav, Anil, Rahul, Sachin, Srinath and then some talented youngsters like Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and MS Dhoni. I was lucky there.
I think Gary has been wonderful for the side. I don’t know how he coaches but I understand his style of coaching is similar to mine. For me, to be the first foreign coach was a great privilege and honour. And it was wonderful that it was carried on by Gary after an odd hiccup.
You think they can maintain their position?
That is the challenge. They first have to enjoy it and then take up the challenge. In India everything is there in the system — they have the structure and the academy. Now they have to keep producing the players. So I think they can stay at the No.1 spot.
What was the biggest turnaround for India? Was it in Kolkata in 2001?
The ability to bring about a turnaround was always there. The theme was to achieve team achievement as against individual achievements. There are great individual achievements but in a funny way today’s achievement is greater than any of those. The key for India is to have potent fast bowlers. That way Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth are very important for the side. But the best thing about India is that they are not reliant on any one player. A few individuals will soon go away but every young Indian cricketer now knows that the team can be the No.1. That is the turnaround.
What do they have to do to sustain this achievement?
Look, they have won the World Twenty20 title two years ago. They are No.1 in Tests and they were also No.1 in ODIs. So they have the ability. But the key is to stay together as long as possible and pass on the baton to the right individuals. They have the talent and the people of India back them. I think they can not only sustain this but can get even better.
Should BCCI change its mindset and allow India to play more Tests?
I’m not sure. Scheduling is a very difficult thing. Test match cricket is taking a backseat everywhere in the world. Besides, India can also be the No.1 side in every format of the game. They have the skills to excel in every format of the game so why concentrate only in one format.
You coached Sehwag. He has just missed a major milestone. How has he evolved over the years?
I’m very proud that I know him. He has the ability to do it again. I’m very confident he will do it again. He just has to play the ball straight.
How do you rate skipper MS Dhoni vis-a-vis other Indian captains you worked with?
Sourav, Rahul and Anil were wonderful leaders in their own ways and Mahendra was on a good learning curve. He is a smart cricketer and has learnt a lot. He also has some great cricketers like Sachin in his side. He sets great leadership standards. I have been telling the boys that they have to be accountable to the biggest fan base in the world. I’m happy that I could play a small part in this wonderful team’s great rise.
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