'I Prefer A Back Seat'

In the age of the aggressive-football-styled coaches,Indian cricket coach John Wright not only prefers to take the 'back-seat' butalso admits that he is "terrified of publicity." Wright, thestrategist behind many wins of the newly resurrected Indian team, says he justplays a "support role" in the team.

"I am just in a support role in the team...Publicity sort of terrifies me," he said in an interview to Shekhar Guptaon NDTV's 'Walk the Talk'.

As a understated coach he said that it was veryimportant to keep a tight reign on one's emotions.

Answering a question on the emphatic gesturing ofPakistan coach Javed Miandad towards his team during the matches, Wright said"As a coach, keeping my emotions under control is probably the toughestthing."

On the issue of Sachin Tendulkar missing out on hisfourth Test double ton when stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid declared the inningsat Multan with the batting maestro unbeaten on 194, Wright conceded that it wasnot short of a disappointment to the 'little master'.

"It is but natural," he said. "Had Icome close to 190 runs and then had to go out I would be disappointed too."However the New Zealander brushed the issue aside saying "There was noproblem though. We have sorted that out. There are a lot of decisions madeduring a tour. Changes in the bowling, batting line-up and every one isdisappointed, but that's ok. The team comes first."

Wright, who has been with the squad for over three years now, said the side hademerged as one of the top team over the years.

The Indian coach attributed this mainly to the risinglevel of fitness of the players which he credited to the team physician AndrewLeipus.

"He (Leipus) doesn't get the credit he deserves.He has done a fantastic job," Wright said. "Before I joined, teamfitness was a big issue. The players are also changing that way and we can saythat we have the fittest Indian team so far."

Wright heaped praise on the young entrants, the likesof Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh. "Iam really impressed with the competitiveness of the youngesters. They havereally made the difference."

Reflecting on how Tendulkar and Dravid have changedtheir game and evolved as better players, he said, "They have come a longway. Sachin is his own great coach and a huge leader. He is one of the world'sbest," Wright said.

PTI