Five years ago, the Board of Control for Cricket in India - under considerable pressure from senior members of the national cricket team - finally decided to appoint a qualified foreigner as team coach.
The interview process was an eye-opener. Candidates came up before the BCCI honchos, each armed with a wish list - this much as salary; this that and the other as perks.
Then came the dark horse candidate - former New Zealand opener and captain John Geoffrey Wright. And his first words to the interview panel set the tone: `Gentlemen,' he said, `I am not here to discuss my salary; I will leave it to you to decide what I am worth. Let us talk instead of what your vision - and mine -- is for the national team, let's discuss what we can do with this team.'
For five years, Wright has lived the part he defined for himself in that job interview - that of an unassuming man whose working philosophy has been `Ask not what the BCCI can do for me, ask rather what I can do for the national cricket team.'
The time has finally come for him to say goodbye to the team, and to go back home to his family. His young sons need him, he says - and that need, right now, outweighs the need of the national team.
So as he leaves the Indian dressing room, discuss his tenure with the mix of passion and insight Indian cricket fans are famed for.
Tell us what you think John did right, and what he did wrong, during his tenure. Tell us what you think of his contribution to Indian cricket. Tell us what you think his lasting legacy will be.
Say goodbye to John Wright, by evaluating his tenure. We will make sure your feedback gets to him.
Mail us at indopak@rediff.co.in
