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Indian cricketers need hunger for success, says coach Wright

Coach John Wright has criticized India's cricketers for wasting a real chance to win the opening test against Pakistan by failing to do deliver the knock out blow.

"We couldn't get the killer blow in, to be a top-grade side you have to get the job done," Wright said Monday.
India's bowlers started the final day at Mohali needing just four wicket to set up a victory chase, but were frustrated by Pakistan's seventh-wicket pair of Asim Kamal and Yousuf Youhana, who shared a 184-run partnership to salvage a draw.

"It was disappointing to get into the situation where we had the opportunity to win, and still not achieve that," Wright told reporters at Calcutta's Eden Gardens, where the second test starts Wednesday.

"If we want to get to the top we have to have the killer instinct," he said.

Wright said players always find a little extra in India-Pakistan encounters.

"It came out on the last day from the Pakistan batsmen, but it's probably an area where we're still learning," he said. "That's what I look for and want from my team.

The Mohali "performance has to make us more hungry - the main thing is playing to our potential."

Wright said the conditions at Eden Gardens suited India, which was contemplating a recall for off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was left out of the playing 11 to accommodate an extra seam bowler.

"There's a good chance of Harbhajan making the side, he likes bowling here and he's done well at this venue," said Wright, who basically dismissed the idea of selecting five regular bowlers for the next match.

"Traditionally, we've always played two spinners and two fast bowlers here, it's worked well for us," added Wright, suggesting that part-time spinners Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag could contribute to the attack.