A privilege to coach the
Indian team: Wright

India's cricket coach John Wright says the opportunity to coach the Indian team is a privilege considering how "wonderfully talented" the side is.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Monday, after being conferred honorary life membership by the Cricket Club of India, along with India skipper Sourav Ganguly and vice-captain Rahul Dravid, Wright said, "This is one of the special moments in my life; I am deeply touched by CCI's gesture.

"I am really honoured to be associated with the CCI and the Indian cricket team. I don't know how good a coach I am. Only time will tell that, but I am happy about the way the team is performing in recent months."

The former New Zealand skipper added: "I should consider myself lucky to be coaching this wonderfully-talented side and wonderful people. They are not only fine cricketers but also fine ambassadors for their country."

Praising the wicket prepared for the first Test against the West Indies, starting in Mumbai on Wednesday, Wright said, "We have a Test series coming up against a fine side, on a newly-laid pitch, and it should be a very interesting contest. We cannot underestimate the visitors."

Thanking the CCI for their gesture, Dravid said, "I have always admired the former Test stars and to be in the midst of them today is like a dream come true. The amount of faith they have in my ability will only motivate me to do well in the future."

Ganguly, who came after the function was over, said he is privileged to be associated with the CCI as he played for the club team in Mumbai till a few years ago.

"I only hope our team plays well and we are able to entertain the fans during the forthcoming series against the West Indies," the stylish southpaw added.

Former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur and former Aussie skipper Bobby Simpson spoke highly of the Indian team's recent performance and Wright's role in making it a force to reckon with in world cricket.

Mail Cricket Editor