Ex-Indian Spinner Talks About Team India’s Journey To The WTC Final; Calls It Close

The World Test Championship Final ended recently, with New Zealand becoming the Test champions of the world. The Indian fans were quite disappointed with the result. Some wanted Virat Kohli to be sacked from the team. Others understood that it had been a really good season overall and the Kiwis got a few things in their favor, which helped them win eventually. This was a crucial match before the IPL 2021 second phase, though Team India ended up losing it.

Former Indian all-rounder S Sriram said that not many would notice team India’s journey in the World Test Championship over the last year. Sriram added that the WTC final between India and New Zealand was a close one. He was defending the fact that the Indian side deserved credit for their strong show of character. They played some really good live cricket and were unfortunate to end up on the losing side.

What Were The Further Comments Made To CricketNext About The World Test Championship Final That Were Made By The Former Indian All-Rounder?

S Sriram, who is Australia’s bowling coach for the last five years commented on the WTC final a week after the Kiwis triumphed. Kane Williamson and company thrashed Virat Kohli’s India in the final to win the Test mace. The game was marred by rain at Southampton but the Kiwis finished the game with less than four days of play possible.

Ex cricketers, pundits, and many experts spoke about the way India lost. They analyzed the way the Indian line-up tumbled in the second innings. Sriram did not criticize India, but argued that the Indian players were toiling since the last year.

“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 acclimatized. Not many may have noticed the journey that the Indian team has gone through in the last year or so.”

The Indian players first participated in IPL 2020, then triumphed in Australia, played England and then again IPL 2021.

The Further Details About The Journey And The Game That He Went On To Add

“From IPL 2020 in Dubai, they went straight to Australia to be in a bubble for three to four months; returned home for five 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.”

S Sriram shed light on the way certain players have been in quarantine for a long time. He is currently in West Indies where Australia is preparing for a five-match T20 series starting from July 10. The Aussies quarantined in the Maldives after IPL 2021 was called off midway. Sriram believes that the Kiwis were fortunate to not quarantine for long. New Zealand also played England in a Test series ahead of the WTC final.

“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 the 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 was 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.”

Without a doubt, it has been a tough time for all the cricket teams across the globe. The pandemic has not made things any easier. Reaching the final of such a brilliant tournament was an achievement in itself.

India will play Joe Root’s England in a five-match away Test series. A limited-overs Indian side will visit Sri Lanka in July. Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side against Sri Lanka with Rahul Dravid as a coach.