KOLKATA, March 14: India needs to show hunger for success and must learn to land the killer punch if they want to improve their standing in international cricket, coach John Wright said on Monday.
“We could not get the killer blow in,” Wright said after his team failed to convert an unassailable position into victory in the first Test at Mohali last week.
“Mohali has to make us more hungry,” he said ahead of the second Test against Pakistan starting at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.
“If you want to be a top side, you have to get the job done. This is an area where we are still learning. If we want to climb the list we’ll have to have the killer instinct. This is what I look for and want from the team.”
Pakistan were struggling at Mohali when they began the fifth and final day’s play just 53 runs ahead with four wickets in hand, but salvaged a draw due to a gutsy century by wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and resolute batting by all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.
“It was disappointing to get into a situation where we had an opportunity to win and could not achieve that,” said Wright.
“In India-Pakistan contests, players always seem to find that little bit extra, but it came on the last day from the Pakistani batsmen.”
India planned to make one change from the side that played the first Test, with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh set to return after being dropped at Mohali to make way for a third seamer.
“Conditions suit us here and he (Harbhajan) has a good chance of making the side,” said Wright.
“Harbhajan has done well at the Eden Gardens and likes bowling here. I don’t think we’ll go with five bowlers. Traditionally we have always played two seamers and two spinners here and it has worked for us.”
India had played the Mohali Test with three fast bowlers and one spinner.—AFP
