Abhilash93
First Class Star
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2013
- Runs
- 3,676
“Absolutely no doubt about it,” he tells Wisden India when asked if he’s proud of the achievement. “Anybody in my shoes would be proud. I’m very excited to be a part of the Australian team.”
Sriram, who represented India in eight One-Day Internationals, considers the appointment not only as a proud moment for him, but also as a recognition of the growth of Indian coaches.
“[It's] definitely a recognition of our (Indian coaches) efforts,” he says. “Today, there is a lot of inquisitiveness about playing in the subcontinent. Succeeding in these conditions is a big part of a player's goal and career.
“Mahela Jayawardene was also appointed (by England for the UAE tour). The western world is looking at us to take whatever value we can add to their cricket. There is a lot of opportunity for the coaches here.”
Sriram’s rise to the top as a coach has been rather quick, but the start was nearly accidental. The former India batsman was playing club cricket in England in 2008 when his club encouraged him to take up coaching to make it easier to get a work permit.
“I started because of my club’s encouragement, but I found that I had a passion for coaching. It was just that I had never given it a go. I then eventually got a Level 3 badge from the England and Wales Cricket Board and started coaching at the grassroots level there. Once I started it, I found my passion and realised I had a natural feel for coaching.”
The progress from there, in Sriram’s own words, was natural. Once his playing days ended in 2011, he continued his journey as a coach with the Tamil Nadu A side and an assistant coach for Delhi Daredevils, a post he holds presently.
His stint with Delhi not only gave him an opportunity to work with Gary Kirsten and TA Sekhar, but also a chance to work with some Australian cricketers such as Marcus Stoinis, Travis Head, Gurinder Sandhu and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
“The Australia Cricket Academy team came to Chennai (in June 2015),” he continues. “Troy Cooley (their head coach) asked me to spend some time with the players and they were eager to learn about the Indian conditions. Then, the Australia A team came and again Troy asked me to do a few sessions for them. I was only contracted initially for a few days but they liked my work and extended it for the full series (against India A).”
The two unofficial Tests went as per plan for Australia A and Sriram. The visitors won 1-0, with several of their batsmen coming good against experienced spinners such as Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha, and Sriram was credited with helping tighten the Australian batsmen’s defence against the spinning ball.
“He’s been awesome,” said Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored in the series with 224 runs, of Sriram’s contribution. Sriram, though, declined to take complete credit.
“It’s unfair to take all the credit. But I spoke about one-percenters – the small things that could make a big difference.
“We spoke about having a solid defence against spin. Australians are naturally attacking players but if they have confidence in their defence, their attack is more measured and they choose the right balls to hit.”
And as a left-arm spinner during his playing days, Sriram’s inputs weren’t restricted to batting.
“We also spoke about different types of releases for different spinners,” he elaborated. “We worked specifically on how Indian spinners would bowl. I have been fortunate enough to play a lot against them so I know to a certain extent their angles, speeds and psyche in general. We also discussed the areas where Indian batsmen would attack spinners.”
The Australians, clearly, were impressed and word spread via Cooley about Sriram’s utility. An email from Darren Lehmann, the Australia coach, enquiring about his availability for the Bangladesh tour ensued, and soon, Sriram was exchanging emails with Steven Smith, the captain, about conditions in Bangladesh and potential strategies.
All this, in a span of three months. The series was eventually postponed due to security reasons but with the World T20 to be held in India next year, Sriram’s expertise was sought once again.
Sriram, however, is not thinking too far ahead.
“I don’t have any long-term plans for now,” he stresses. “I’m taking it one step at a time and don’t want to look ahead too far.
“I got my appointment from CA only two days back and I’m yet to speak to Darren (Lehmann). I will know my specific role for the South Africa T20s and the World T20 only after interacting with him.”
http://wisdenindia.com/full-story.php?category=Article&id=191658
Sriram, who represented India in eight One-Day Internationals, considers the appointment not only as a proud moment for him, but also as a recognition of the growth of Indian coaches.
“[It's] definitely a recognition of our (Indian coaches) efforts,” he says. “Today, there is a lot of inquisitiveness about playing in the subcontinent. Succeeding in these conditions is a big part of a player's goal and career.
“Mahela Jayawardene was also appointed (by England for the UAE tour). The western world is looking at us to take whatever value we can add to their cricket. There is a lot of opportunity for the coaches here.”
Sriram’s rise to the top as a coach has been rather quick, but the start was nearly accidental. The former India batsman was playing club cricket in England in 2008 when his club encouraged him to take up coaching to make it easier to get a work permit.
“I started because of my club’s encouragement, but I found that I had a passion for coaching. It was just that I had never given it a go. I then eventually got a Level 3 badge from the England and Wales Cricket Board and started coaching at the grassroots level there. Once I started it, I found my passion and realised I had a natural feel for coaching.”
The progress from there, in Sriram’s own words, was natural. Once his playing days ended in 2011, he continued his journey as a coach with the Tamil Nadu A side and an assistant coach for Delhi Daredevils, a post he holds presently.
His stint with Delhi not only gave him an opportunity to work with Gary Kirsten and TA Sekhar, but also a chance to work with some Australian cricketers such as Marcus Stoinis, Travis Head, Gurinder Sandhu and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
“The Australia Cricket Academy team came to Chennai (in June 2015),” he continues. “Troy Cooley (their head coach) asked me to spend some time with the players and they were eager to learn about the Indian conditions. Then, the Australia A team came and again Troy asked me to do a few sessions for them. I was only contracted initially for a few days but they liked my work and extended it for the full series (against India A).”
The two unofficial Tests went as per plan for Australia A and Sriram. The visitors won 1-0, with several of their batsmen coming good against experienced spinners such as Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha, and Sriram was credited with helping tighten the Australian batsmen’s defence against the spinning ball.
“He’s been awesome,” said Cameron Bancroft, who top-scored in the series with 224 runs, of Sriram’s contribution. Sriram, though, declined to take complete credit.
“It’s unfair to take all the credit. But I spoke about one-percenters – the small things that could make a big difference.
“We spoke about having a solid defence against spin. Australians are naturally attacking players but if they have confidence in their defence, their attack is more measured and they choose the right balls to hit.”
And as a left-arm spinner during his playing days, Sriram’s inputs weren’t restricted to batting.
“We also spoke about different types of releases for different spinners,” he elaborated. “We worked specifically on how Indian spinners would bowl. I have been fortunate enough to play a lot against them so I know to a certain extent their angles, speeds and psyche in general. We also discussed the areas where Indian batsmen would attack spinners.”
The Australians, clearly, were impressed and word spread via Cooley about Sriram’s utility. An email from Darren Lehmann, the Australia coach, enquiring about his availability for the Bangladesh tour ensued, and soon, Sriram was exchanging emails with Steven Smith, the captain, about conditions in Bangladesh and potential strategies.
All this, in a span of three months. The series was eventually postponed due to security reasons but with the World T20 to be held in India next year, Sriram’s expertise was sought once again.
Sriram, however, is not thinking too far ahead.
“I don’t have any long-term plans for now,” he stresses. “I’m taking it one step at a time and don’t want to look ahead too far.
“I got my appointment from CA only two days back and I’m yet to speak to Darren (Lehmann). I will know my specific role for the South Africa T20s and the World T20 only after interacting with him.”
http://wisdenindia.com/full-story.php?category=Article&id=191658
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