John Wright turns IPL scout for Mumbai Indians at Ranji match

What's the story?

The Mumbai Indians IPL franchise has begun hunting for new talent as they seek to defend their title in the eleventh season of IPL during the 2018 season. And to enable them to do so they have signed up the services of veteran coach John Wright.

The former New Zealand cricketer watched youngsters in the Ranji Trophy 2017-18 quarter-final between Mumbai and Karnataka at Nagpur, looking keen to induct fresh legs into the Mumbai Indians squad.

In case you didn't know...

Post a successful international career as an opener for New Zealand, Wright took up coaching responsibilities which began with English county side Kent. Following his duties in England, Wright was the coach of the senior India side from 2000-2005 and found an excellent ally in Sourav Ganguly, who led the team with aplomb.

Thereafter, in December 2010, he became coach of New Zealand, a stint which ended in July 2012. Wright is also a former head coach of the Mumbai Indians.

The heart of the matter

IPL franchises have often recruited talented youngsters by witnessing them perform well in domestic first-class, List A and T20 fixtures. Wright was also seen observing upcoming cricketers during the previous two Ranji Trophy seasons.

“There are many other tournaments through which this[scouting for talent] is done. However, it is easier to judge a bowler than a batsman in a four-day game. I think the first Ranji game I watched this season was the one between Delhi and Maharashtra. We have a team of people doing similar stuff. Some of us have covered the tournament from the start,” Wright told the Indian Express.

“We also focus on the U-19 and other tournaments. The coming auctions will be big. And auctions are strange things. You have to have good knowledge of players’ qualities. Otherwise, we might lose a good player, like Axar Patel,” he added.

What's next?

The auctions for the newest season of the IPL are due in four months' time and the franchises are aiming to build a solid base by opting for new talent as prior preparations for the grand auctions.

In order to edge ahead of their competitors, the Mumbai Indians appear to have started early.

Author's take

There could not have been a more appropriate choice than the former experienced cricketer and international coach John Wright.

Wright's awareness of the Mumbai Indians dressing room by virtue of his coaching assignments earlier have earned the faith of the franchise owners who are eager to rope in youngsters quickly.