India have lost the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Kane Williamson-led New Zealand. Ever since they lost, everyone started slamming them for their poor performance. Howveer, former India and Tamil Nadu cricketer, Sridharan Sriram, who has been Australia’s bowling coach for five years has opened up on this matter.
“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 prior to the WTC final. They were already well acclimatised. Not many may have noticed the journey that the Indian team has gone through in the last year or so,” Sriram told CricketNext.
He continued: “From IPL 2020 in Dubai, they went straight to Australia to be in a bubble for three to four months; returned home for 5 days and went to the home series against England to be in a bubble for two months, then go straight into IPL 2021 bubble, and now after a 14-day quarantine in Mumbai, go to England for the WTC final and then the five-Test series in about six weeks.”
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Meanwhile, New Zealand had the upperhand in the final considering the fact that they have played against England in two Tests before that. On the other hand, India had last featured against England earlier this year.
“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 IPL, having to quarantine in Maldives and go to Australia and not to see the sunlight for the first 14 days is pretty tough. On the other hand, New Zealand were more fortunate because they did not have many Covid cases in their country. They have been free, playing outdoors, practicing, playing their domestic tournament, went to England and played two Test matches before the WTC final. Their preparation leading into the Test final was a lot more ideal. Having said that, that is not an excuse for India,” Sridharan Sriram concluded.
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However, Team India will now play a five-match Test series against England in August. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan will lead the second string of the Indian team will play against Sri Lanka in three ODIs and as many T20Is as well next month.
