John Wright will continue as the coach of the Indian team till the Pakistan series at home in February-March next year, putting to rest speculation that the former Kiwi captain would hang up his boots after the Bangladesh series.

The continuation of 50-year-old Wright till the end of 2004-05 season was confirmed during meetings with Jagmohan Dalmiya in Kolkata over the past couple of days, according to BCCI sources.

The sources said there was nothing new in Wright continuing till the end of the season since he had been appointed the team's coach till 2004-05 season by the Board's Working Committee in August and it was approved by the adjourned AGM in Kolkata on September 30.

Both Dalmiya, who technically continues to be the BCCI president since the AGM has not concluded as yet, and Wright were unavailable for comment.

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Doubts about Wright's continuation arose following some comments by the coach himself after India lost to Pakistan in the Platinum Jubilee match at Eden Gardens on November 13.

"Sometimes a new coach brings in fresh ideas, which turn out to be good for the team," Wright had said after the loss, which capped a string of defeats of the Indian team including the fourth consecutive defeat in one-dayers at the hands of the Pakistanis.

Wright's comments reflected his disappointment over the poor performance by the team since the beginning of the current season.

Before the Platinum Jubilee match, the team had lost in the Asian Cup, tri-series in Holland, Natwest Challenge and Champions Trophy before going down to Australia in the home series.

The just-concluded Test series win against South Africa has been the first success for the Indian team in the current season.

Wright has been with the Indian team since November 2000 and during his tenure he helped it achieve many highs, including beating Australia in a Test series and reaching the World Cup final.

The BCCI Working Committee had decided in August to extend Wright's contract till the end of 2004-05 series and after the controversial AGM on September 30, President-elect Ranbir Singh Mahendra had announced that Wright would continue till the Pakistan series.

"Wright is very much with the Indian team. He will be there in the coming series against Australia, South Africa and Pakistan," he said.