India lack desire, says coach Wright

India coach John Wright said on Sunday he thought his team has lost some of their hunger and intensity during a demanding year.

India, who lost both matches in the two-Test series against New Zealand, were beaten by 35 runs in the second one-day international on Sunday. New Zealand lead 2-0 in the seven-match series.

"I want to see us get back to the level we know we can achieve," Wright told reporters after the match. "Everything was in our favour. We won the toss, the wicket was good, the target was achievable and we got another batsman in form, and yet we lost."

The former New Zealand opener was asked if he could explain what had happened to a team who had performed admirably over the past year.

"It's puzzling and I'm trying to work it out because this is not the team that performed pretty consistently for a period of nine or 10 months really and from a personal point of view I was keen for that form to continue here," he replied.

"We really haven't played with the hunger and intensity we showed earlier in the year. I think that eagerness and energy has been lost. You start to have a couple of losses and your confidence goes."

Wright said poor Indian fielding had gifted 17 extra runs to the New Zealanders.

"We needed to be more accurate in our ground fielding," he said. "It cost us runs and we didn't get through the overs. There was some carelessness. We're playing well below our potential and that is something we have got to address."

Wright said he was not aware of players being distracted by events in their homeland over the World Cup contracts wrangle between their board and the International Cricket Council.

"We represent a passionate and proud cricketing nation and every match is important. There should be no distractions," he said. "In one-day cricket, as long as the conditions are the same for each side, which was the case in Auckland and the case here, there shouldn't be any excuses. We've got a bit of work to do."

India should have Sachin Tendulkar back for the third match in Christchurch on Wednesday. The team's leading batsman failed a fitness test on a sprained ankle before Sunday's match.

"Tendulkar will make a difference," Wright said. "He is an inspiration in the field and of course in the batting line-up."

Mail Cricket Editor