India can beat any team, says coach Wright
India coach John Wright gave a huge vote of confidence to his young wards, saying
they can beat any team in the world provided they play to their potential.
"I don't actually believe in favourites, and those sort
of tags, but what I do know is we have a side here which, when
they play as well as they can, will win against anyone," Wright
said at the first practice session of the tour on Tuesday afternoon.
Wright believes team spirit would help India achieve good
results abroad consistenly.
"I think the big question for us is to play good cricket like a team. That for us is the
focus.
"I think the belief is a big factor. Believe in ourselves
and I think it is a great opportunity. The biggest challenge
for us, of course, is to do well on this tour," the coach said.
Wright also said the team would be helped by the fact the
series is five-Test long. "Also, in the conditions here we
would feel more comfortable as they are more akin to one
back home rather than the one we face in countries such as
South Africa, New Zealand or Australia."
Wright hopes to have two training sessions a day on the tour. "In one session, some boys might miss out on specific,
sustained training, but this issue can be handled if two
sessions are held in a day and thus due attention is given to
each individual," he said.
The new trainer of the team, Adrian Le Roux, also had his
first day with the team. Roux's opening session was an enjoyable spell for the
boys as initially a tennis ball was passed around by the
players first with the right hand, then left, and finally with
both hands.
The ball passing, with cricketers forming a canal sort of
formation and constantly moving, was to sharpen the focus
on the ball and to help build team spirit.
"That is one area we are concentrating upon," said
Wright. And it is to forge a good team unit on and off the
field."
Wright also hinted at Deep Dasgupta continuing in the
twin-role of opener and wicketkeeper at least in the first
Test.
"He is averaging 37 in Test cricket as an opener and
that's not an insignificant number," the coach said.
He also felt Dasgupta could improve as a wicketkeeper
and gave him sustained catching practice.
Mail Cricket Editor
