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 John WrightSharda Ugra did her first interview of John Wright as a rookie reporter for the Afternoon Despatch & Courier in 1988.
After several interviews in between, the India Today Sports Editor co-wrote John Wrights Indian Summers, a book that raised eyebrows in the cricketing fraternity here.
A slightly amused Ugra spoke candidly about her experience of writing this book. How was your rapport with John Wright when he was coach?
It was a good one. He was a warm person to talk to. I got to know him during Australias 2001 tour (he took charge in late 2000). But talking always had to be on his terms. There was an equation of trust of course. He had his own style. So how and when did you get the book offer?
Last year he briefed me about the book and told me that I must help him write it. I took the offer up straightaway because it was an amazing chance to learn about the makings of an Indian team from such close quarters.  GETTING IT WRIGHT: Sharda UgraHow did you thrash out the topics?
He wanted to showcase Indian cricket to the world. The people, the culture, the players, their struggles, the Board functioning, et cetera.
He took a lot from his diary entries. It was done thematically and chronologically. Was there contention with regard to choice of matter?
He just didnt want to write anything from a how to fix it standpoint. Being a foreigner, he must have offered a different perspective.
He wanted to highlight the struggles and amount of effort that Indians had to go through in life to make it. Be it players or anyone else. Did the overreactions to the book surprise you?
I expected controversy because of the tabloidisation of the media. But not to this extent! Journalists just wanted to get quotes from former selectors and get him slammed. But they didnt ask them if they had read the book in the first place. | 
