Sriram, 45, who also works with Australia’s top players as their case manager, felt the Indian team, in contrast, has gone through a lot in the past year, moving from one bio-secure environment to another. is as it continues to honor domestic and international commitments.
“It was a close Test match. I think New Zealand adapted to the conditions better. Having said that New Zealand played two Tests in England. WTC Final. They were already used to well,” Sriram told CricketNext in an interview on Tuesday.
Days before taking on Virat Kohli-led India, New Zealand had played a tough two-Test series against hosts England, winning 1-0.
“Many may not have noticed the journey that the Indian team has gone through in the last one year or so. From IPL 2020 in Dubai, they went straight to Australia for three to four months, returned home for five days and played against England. The home series went on to stay in a bubble for two months; then went straight into the IPL 2021 bubble; and now, after a 14-day quarantine in Mumbai, went to England for the WTC final and then a five-Test series for about six weeks In.”
Sriram said New Zealand cricketers are lucky as they can continue with training and home games Cricket Because there were not many Kovid-19 cases in their country.
“What the Indian team has gone through in the last 12 months is very tough, even the Australian players. The way they went back from the IPL, to quarantine in Maldives and (then) go to Australia and Suraj Not seeing the light The first 14 days are very difficult.
“New Zealand, on the other hand, were more fortunate as they didn’t have many COVID cases in their country. They are free, playing outside, practicing, playing their home tournament, went to England and played two Test matches before the WTC final .. His preparation to reach the Test (WTC) final was too ideal. Having said that, it is no excuse for India.”
On New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson’s emergence as a top fast bowler for his country during the WTC final, Sriram, who has worked with the tall cricketer at RCB, said, “He (Jamison) has learned a lot and the ball Has the ability to swing. He used to be a bowler whose length used to be very short. She adapted well to the WTC Finals.
“I saw him in the IPL nets and how he bowled in England, his length has been phenomenal. His ability to swing and bounce from that height, the way he has adapted to the length is phenomenal. There was one who barely hit the stumps. Now he is targeting the stumps.”
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