Indian Cricket: Off the Field

John Wrights’ book "Indian Summers" provides interesting insights into the dressing room conversations, interpersonal relations, back biting and bitching about each other, the sweet sour relations between the team members per se and with the coach and the see-saw morale of our cricketers.

Given the craze with which Indian cricket is followed, every page of this book is a must read.

Wright in his book claims that he always encouraged the boys to be honest and upfront. “If some of them called me a grumpy old bastard when I left them to think about it, so what? It wasn’t beach cricket, and dressing rooms aren’t churches.”

Wright claims he always urged everyone to call a spade, a spade and voice their opinion.

“Most disagreements tended to be one-on-one behind closed doors, but if hard things had to be said in front of the entire group, so be it. We wanted an open and honest environment, and you only get that if everyone feels they can speak their mind without being jumped on and without people getting precious and taking offence.”

Wright recalls the phases of the relationship he shared with the Prince of Calcutta, “…as much media speculation and gossip as a Bollywood marriage. And like any marriage, there was a honeymoon period, then reality set in and we settled down for the long haul.”

Admits Wright that they (he and Ganguly) were poles apart. The captain did not care two hoots about anybody, not even the match referees, wore his heart on his sleeve, was high headed, arrogant and rebellious. All this infused the killer instinct in fellow cricketers also. Wright on the other hand was mild, polite, polished and put across his point with finesse.