Lucknow Super Giants have made an exciting addition to their coaching staff by appointing former Indian spinner Sridharan Sriram as their assistant coach for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This announcement was made on a Saturday, adding to the anticipation surrounding the team’s preparations for the tournament.
Sriram, a former Indian cricketer, will be working alongside head coach Justin Langer and mentor Gautam Gambhir, as well as the rest of the coaching team, which includes Vijay Dahiya as the assistant coach, Pravin Tambe as the spin-bowling coach, Morne Morkel as the fast-bowling coach, and Jonty Rhodes as the fielding coach.
This diverse and experienced coaching staff promises to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Lucknow Super Giants.
Sridharan Sriram’s coaching journey has been marked by significant achievements, including his tenure with the Bangladesh men’s national T20 team, where he guided them to impressive victories in the Super-12s of the T20 World Cup. Prior to this, he played a pivotal role in the Australian men’s team for six years, starting in 2016. During his time with the Australian team, they clinched titles in the T20 World Cup and Ashes in 2021-22, underlining Sriram’s coaching prowess.
In the IPL, Sriram had previously worked as an assistant coach, specializing in batting and spin bowling, for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. His expertise in these areas is sure to benefit the Lucknow Super Giants as they prepare for the IPL season.
Sriram’s coaching qualifications are also noteworthy, as he achieved the prestigious distinction of an ECB Level-3 “Head Coach” in 2008, highlighting his commitment to professional development in coaching.
Before transitioning to coaching, Sriram had a career as a player, representing India in eight ODIs. He also played domestic cricket for various teams, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, Assam, and Himachal Pradesh, which provided him with valuable experience that he now imparts to his coaching roles.
This announcement comes a few months after Lucknow Super Giants bid farewell to their previous head coach, Andy Flower, in July 2023. Flower, a former Zimbabwean cricketer, had successfully led the team to third-place finishes in the 2022 and 2023 editions of the IPL. His departure raised questions about the future of team mentor Gautam Gambhir within the franchise.
To fill the void left by Flower’s departure, the Lucknow Super Giants have appointed former Australian opener Justin Langer as their new head coach. Langer, who has previously coached the Australian national team, including during the challenging period following the 2018 ball-tampering incident, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the team. However, this move also raises uncertainties about the future of Gautam Gambhir’s role as a team mentor.
The addition of Sridharan Sriram to the coaching staff and the appointment of Justin Langer as the head coach indicate that the Lucknow Super Giants are making strategic moves to strengthen their team ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
