Christchurch, Feb. 22: The Indian team was about to wind up a four-hour training-cum-net session at the Lincoln University campus when a tall, confident figure sauntered into the practice area.

Former India coach John Wright was greeted with warmth and affection by the team management and the cricketers. Their reverence for the man, who had begun the process of building a potent, match-winning Indian unit, was evident.

Yet, Wright wasn’t willing to take the credit for Indian cricket’s profitable turn around and praised current coach Gary Kirsten. "There is a lot of potential in this side. I am happy they are doing very well. You have good men in Kirsten and Paddy (Upton). And they are playing under a good captain as well," said Wright.

Indian cricket was at the crossroads when Wright moved from Kent to take over the reins of a the team.

Soon, the results began to blossom, the two-wicket victory at Bulwayo against Zimbabwe (2001) marking India breaking their haunted jinx on the foreign soil.

Today, when the team is being led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coached by Kirsten, with the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan are on top, it should not be forgotten that the foundation for this success had been laid by the ex-Kiwi opener, who is keen to return to India in the capacity of a coach.

"I would love to be associated with Indian cricket. I miss the place, curry and traffic. It is an exotic place, unlike the cold weather here," said Wright. — PTI