Chennai: Refusing to get involved into a discussion on the contract issue, Indian coach John Wright on Thursday said every player has to understand that it is very important to play for the country with pride. "From a coach's perspective, everyone has to understand that it is very important to play for the country with pride. You have to say that after such a wonderful performance by the boys in England, we have to carry on with the same tempo," Wright told reporters at the airport before the team left for Colombo. The coach said he was eager to put everything at his disposal to help India win the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka where the conditions "suit the slower bowlers". "I want to put everything that I have for India to win the Champions Trophy," he said. Parrying questions on whether there was a divide between the senior and junior players over the contract issue, Wright said the team was eager to maintain the tempo in the Champions Trophy, which would serve as a preparation for next year's World Cup. "I am really concentrating on cricket. Contracts are not my domain. It is between the players and the Board. I am pleased that it has been sorted out," he said. "Whatever controversy that existed was between the Board and the players but we are looking forward to the tournament. Ultimately, the good tiding is that the best team is playing in the Champions Trophy," Wright said. "For me as a coach, it is important that we are having our main side for the tournament so we are pleased about that. I am sure the Indian public feel the same way." On whether the team was focussed for the tournament after the contract row, Wright said, "We are looking forward to the tournament eagerly. We want to build on the form that we displayed in England where the boys played very well culminating in the victory at Lord's." "We need to build on that platform as we move forward towards the World Cup next year." On his decision to have Rahul Dravid as the wicket-keeper for One-day tournaments leading up to the World Cup, the coach said Dravid did a neat job as a wicket-keeper in England. "Obviously there are other players who have been successful and need back up. Ajay Ratra and Parthiv Patel did their job well enough. But for this tournament Dravid will be doing that job." Regarding pitches in Sri Lanka, Wright said, "We will have to see. We are playing a few matches at the Premadasa Stadium, which does suit the slower bowling and that may help us." "But in the end it does not matter where you are playing and against whom you are playing, but how well you are playing. Strictly speaking, the boys have to play good cricket, that is what we are looking forward to," he said. Captain Saurav Ganguly declined to talk to reporters, who waited at the airport for nearly two hours since the team's flight from Mumbai was delayed. Wright also passed by without talking to the media but came back after the waiting reporters told him that Ganguly had said that he would talk to the press. Sachin Tendulkar, who also spoke to reporters, said the team was performing well and it was important to maintain the momentum in such a major tournament. "This is a major tournament that is taking place before next year's World Cup. We have been performing well and we need to maintain the tempo and the momentum to win." "If we show the same zeal, like in England both during the NatWest Trophy and the Test matches, our goal will be achieved. I personally look forward to the tournament and perform well," he said. Rahul Dravid, whose sterling performance in Test matches in England earned him the joint man of the series award, said, "It is not that we are playing too much cricket but it is important to note that we are all fit. We have clicked as a team which is most important." "No doubt England has been a good port for me where I have been batting well. I credit my performances to the encouragement given to me by the Indian public and above all my parents and friends," Dravid added. Anil Kumble said he was looking forward to test the top players of the world on Sri Lankan tracks, which generally help spinners. "I look forward to bowling against the top players of the world. The tournament is important because it is held a few months before the World Cup," he said. "Sri Lankan pitches generally help spinners and with Harbhajan Singh, we should do as well, as we did in England," he added. Extras:
Confident Indians leave for Champions Trophy
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Tags: cricket, chennai, indian coach john wright, england, champions trophy in sri lanka, rahul dravid, ajay ratra, parthiv patel, premadasa stadium, indian cricket captain saurav ganguly, sachin tendulkar, england, natwest trophy, anil kumble.
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