An uncertain future for John Wright

Finding the light again

Analysis by Rahul Bhatia

November 27, 2004

Along with the emphasis on teamwork and a work ethic, the laptop has become a feature during John Wright's reign © Getty Images

After a long while, there is intrigue again. It says much about Wright and Sourav Ganguly. Dark shadows poised over Indian cricket showed no signs of receding four years ago when the task fell on them. Tough words were satisfyingly followed by tough deeds. India had turned an invisible corner and stepped out of the shadows into light that only became brighter. But blinded by the limelight of the last season, they seemed to have stumbled into another dark alley.

If a man's darkest moments are the sternest test of his character, these have not been glorious days for Indian cricket. The word `greenwicketitis' was invented after Ganguly was declared unfit for the last two Tests against Australia. A victory on a morbid pitch followed. It served no one's purpose besides giving fleeting cheer to a victory-sapped public. Then more turners were asked for. Now the coach is vague about his future. There's something very wrong here.

It's too familiar for comfort. Wright's reign was supposed to end with a ceremony, where he crowned the next-in-line, a worthy who carried on his good work - a bit like Australia, where succession has been more or less smooth. Instead, the murky future has hit home hard because it's a feature of Indian cricket that we believed was dead and buried, at least when it came to national team. India were to have moved ahead when the coach changed, not taken a step back. Wright went all the way...nearly.

It was only spring when India beat Pakistan. So what changed so drastically? Nothing. It was pure bad timing that India went into a collective slump this season. After two years of persistence, a quality Wright imbued in the side, India simply derailed. It went against his commitment to see the team move forward, and he recently admitted that each time India lost, he wondered if he was good enough. Not many people think that way and admit it. India took more catches under him, were fitter, ran harder, and even began smiling again. It was the `love and care' approach before Ray Jennings put it in words. It's exactly what India needed.

His quiet steel and Ganguly's temperament came together at the right time. Some would call it fate. Others will claim it was a calculated move. Whatever, it worked. Out went the dainty Indian image, replaced by the sight of a miffed Steve Waugh waiting at the pitch for the toss. It was rude and tough. The approach was so unIndian, it was shocking at first, but the acceptance came. The players were not only expected to give it back, but to sledge some as well. In a sense, the approach applied by Wright and Ganguly appealed to India as a country. It was a happy turn of events.

He demanded intensity from every member of the side. He understood the pitfalls of success in India, and asked the team to keep themselves motivated even when they weren't playing. No namby-pambying for superstars here. That he and Ganguly changed India in such a short span of time is a wonder. Having exceptionally talented players helped, but then you could say that the early 90s team with Tendulkar, Azhar and Kambli was just as talented. It's just that one team was more driven.

When the camera turns to him, he's mostly behind a laptop. Not the most unique thing, but before Wright, which Indian coach would rely on technology to help? Pre-Wright, you had the Javed Miandad-ish `fergit technology, I'll teach ya what to do' approach. Wright pulled India out of a comfort zone and got them to work on their game. It was the clearest indication of direction in a long time.

It is tragic that this season will be added as an afterthought, an asterisk, when Wright is spoken about. But it comes with the territory, and Wright is already mentioned fondly. He will be recalled as one of the architects of a tougher India where a work ethic was applied and the value of the team was emphasised. He'll be reminisced about for being there when India and Australia played two great series. He'll also be remembered as the one man who made Ganguly hurry between wickets.

Rahul Bhatia is on the staff of Wisden Cricinfo.

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