'SA not strong against spin'

'Wright impressed by Kohli'

The Indian cricket team’s 3-0 triumph against South Africa in the recently concluded four-match Test series generated discussions on the nature of pitches.

John Wright, the former India coach, believes there is nothing wrong in countries having different conditions to examine technique.

Wright, who currently coaches Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, was present in the city, scouting for the franchise and the 61-year-old Kiwi spoke on Kohli’s captaincy, Day/ Night Tests and Rohit Sharma.

Excerpts

On the pitch debate: From what I understand, one of the wickets turned quite a lot but the rest weren't too bad. At the end of the day, if you go to South Africa, you wouldn't get wickets that turn. And if you come to India you've got to expect that you are going to get a rigorous examination with the turning ball. I don't think it's a bad thing where countries have different conditions to examine technique. You would have to say that South Africa aren't exactly strong in the spin department. I've always thought that when a ball turns, you want wickets that turn on the third day; then you get really great cricket. Any series win against South Africa is difficult because they fight. 

On Kohli’s captaincy: I have always liked Virat's approach to the game. He is passionate and aggressive. I think you pick your best eleven and then pick your captain. He is always going to be in your best eleven. He's got huge shoes to fill but he is up for the job.   . 

On if Kohli should lead India in ODIs: I'm too far away from the action to make an informed comment on that. MS's (Dhoni) performances are legendary. Be it in one-day cricket or T20. I think it's fantastic that Dhoni is playing domestic cricket. Here is someone who has won World Cups, someone who has taken his country to No. 1 in the Test rankings and now, the same player is out playing for Jharkhand and that says everything.

On Rohit Sharma: He is definitely one of the most exciting players I've seen. Sometimes players like Rohit, because they're so brilliant in the way they play, because of their shot-making ability, they take more risks. In Test cricket, it's just a matter of feeling at home. Particularly in India, that is a big thing. I am sure there is a place for Rohit among the top six batsmen in India in any form of the game. Sometimes you've got to stick with players. In Tests, you don't want to be judged every time you go to the wicket, because you can't express yourself properly. I hope he succeeds in Tests because he adds such a lot to a side; he's a match-winner.

On D/N Tests: I think it made a very encouraging start and obviously captured the imagination, particularly the fans. That's an important part of cricket these days. From