Versatility makes Kuldeep-Chahal tick, says Aussies spin coach

Australian team's spin coach Sridharan Sriram is confident of Nathan Lyon's success in the limited-overs series against India while praising the Indian spin duo's record overseas.

Sridharan Sriram is impressed by India's limited-overs spin duo--Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Australia spin coach Sridharan Sriram is aware of the Kuldeep Yadav-Yuzvendra Chahal threat when the Aaron Finch-led side takes on India in the limited-overs series starting February 24.

The tourists have been training at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here to study the conditions better.

Having former India player Sriram as spin consultant is a blessing for the Aussies.

“We know what to expect from the Indians. We are preparing accordingly. They are a great white-ball side, the striking ability they have is phenomenal. We know the kind of challenge we will be up to and are preparing accordingly,” Sriram said in an interaction post the training session on Thursday.

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“Their [Kuldeep-Chahal] great attribute is they are successful abroad and can change their game plan according to the conditions on the given day.

Adam Zampa (left) and Nathan Lyon at the nets in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

 

“There cannot be any fixed mindset when we take on them. We have to be open to different ideas and play according to the given situation,” he said.

Sriram stressed on the importance of spinners in ODI cricket, specially the middle overs. “Almost every team got good spinners when you look at the big picture of World Cup. It goes without saying.”

He also said that the absence of pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc on this tour should only give a great opportunity for the guys coming in. “Nathan Coulter-Nile is a pretty experienced bowler and Pat Cummins is the No. 1 bowler."

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On frontline off-spinner Nathan Lyon, Sriram said he had come a long way at the highest level with his consistency. “He is capable of reproducing his class anywhere and he bowled a lot in the Big Bash back home and it is a very good sign for us. The more he plays white-ball cricket he will be even better,” he added.

Sriram is on a roll with the Australian side. He is “living his dream”.

“Honestly, I am enjoying every bit of my stint with the Australian team. Any coaching assignment is a huge challenge and I feel this job (spin coach) is a great opportunity for me,” he concluded.