Sridharan Sriram, Australia’s long-serving assistant coach, will leave the team to pursue a coaching career in India, according to a statement issued by Cricket Australia on Friday.
Sriram, who is based in Chennai, has been with the squad for six years, serving mostly as a spin coach while also contributing to the team’s batting, fielding, and strategy across numerous seasons.
He has chosen to devote more time to his coaching profession with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and other activities, as well as to his rising cricketer son Rishab and wife Pavi.
The former Indian allrounder has been integrally associated with the growth of Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, as well as Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne, and Mitchell Swepson.
With his tutelage Zampa is ranked the fifth best bowler in T20 cricket and Agar 11, having been in the top ten in the past. He has also nurtured Maxwell’s spin bowling on the journey.
“After being on the road for six years it’s with a heavy heart I have decided to move on from my current role as an assistant coach of the Australian men’s team,” Sriram said in an official release.
“I feel this is an opportune moment keeping in mind the team, giving them enough time to prepare for two World Cups and the World Test Championship. It has been a great experience for me working across formats, World Cups and Ashes and I have come out incredibly richer in knowledge,” he added.
Further, he said: “Greg Chappell, Troy Cooley, Pat Howard and Marcus Stoinis were also instrumental in getting me involved. I wish the team and the coaches the very best for the future.”
Adam Zampa said: “I love working with Sri, he’s someone I have a lot of respect for and his work ethic and knowledge of the game have been invaluable to my career in recent years.”
Ricky Ponting on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy
According to renowned captain Ricky Ponting, the 2023 Border-Gavaskar series will have a big impact on India and Australia’s efforts to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The two countries will play a four-match Test series on the subcontinent next year.
India and Australia are now positioned second and fourth, respectively, in the points table. Following their trip to India, Pat Cummins’ team will host the West Indies and South Africa.
In contrast, before the Border-Gavaskar series, India will play Bangladesh in a two-match Test series away from home.
“I think Australia’s chances really hinge on the upcoming Indian tour, to be honest and India’s chances are a little bit the same.
It is always a much-anticipated series – Australia and India, whether it be in Australia or in India – it’s much hyped up and talked about, the rivalry between the two countries is just growing year on year.”
