Pietermartizburg (South Africa): The recent dismal performances by the Indian team has forced coach John Wright to adopt new ways to bring the best out in his wards.

Wright, who is at the helm of the affairs of the team for the past two years, knows that nothing less than a World Cup win would help extend his tenure. "These are challenging times and you try to do your best. To encourage the team perform to the best of its ability and that's my role," said Wright.

"As a coach you are accountable. You try and make the team play well whichever way you think it's suitable." To bring the best out in Indian team, Wright does not mind taking a few tips from others as well.

The Indian coach these days is reading "Creating Coaching" by Jerry Lynch, a US sports psychologist, who in his time was a national champion distance runner.

The book aims at addressing the challenges of coaching modern athletes and maximising their sport performance and it has been followed by NBA teams like Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Wright's plumbing for this book is understandable as Lynch's coaching method encourages collective yet unique approach. It learns to teach, guide and motivate in a reciprocal relationship with sportsmen.

The book encourages three facets of coaching - develop leadership style to better understand the athletes you work with, leading with purpose and importantly unleashing methods to help athletes reach their maximum potential during a competition.

Wright is trying his best to go beyond what he already knows and find a successful mantra which would make the Indians give their best in the world cup tournament.

Though his team has not done too badly in the first fortnight of the competition in terms of results, the players are yet to forget the thrashing they received from New Zealand during the tour to the down-under recently.

This was evident from skipper Saurav Ganguly's statement when he said his side was still working 80 per cent of its optimum limit and batsmen have not been able to express themselves freely or confidently.

Wright also supported his captain's words saying, "Our batting did well under pressure in NatWest and in ICC Champions trophy last year. But since New Zealand to this stage it has taken a hammering."

The rustiness of the Indians was evident in the game against Zimbabwe when despite a fine opening start of 99 runs between openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, the rest of the batting was too concerned at not getting out rather than bat freely and look for a 270-280 plus total.

Lynch's track record must be encouraging to Wright. During the past 10 years, lynch has worked closely with 21 teams, 12 of which have won the national championship and with individual clients who have won a collective total of 15 national championships.

Wright too is trying to make players be aware of different things and encourage self belief to coax better performances.

"You try and communicate meaningful information to them but there's time you wonder (whether they understand you or not). It's about making players aware of all sorts of things, whether they play well. It is to encourage self awareness so a player himself understands what it takes for them to play and play consistently well."

After doing all the hard work, Wright believes time will judge whether he as Indian coach has been successful or not. "There are lean spells but that would happen in sports. Looking at result sheets and other issues, time will judge (whether he's been successful or not)."

Extras:
Now or never, Gordon drills mantra into Indian players
Another feather in the cap for 'little master' Tendulkar
'India doesn't stand even 5% chance of winning WC'