After the suspension of IPL 2021, the focus now shifts to the World Test Championship (WTC) final, slated to be played between India and New Zealand in Southampton from June 18-22.
Team India are likely to depart for UK in the first week of June after serving a week of stern isolation at home. It is not yet known if Virat Kohli and his men will be allowed to train during their quarantine in Southampton ahead of the marquee clash.
See Also: UK-bound India contingent and their families to be tested at home for COVID-19
Nonetheless, fielding coach R Sridhar feels that the Indian players' abundant experience will be enough to counter that challenge.
"I don't think we have a choice," Sridhar told PTI when asked how much time the team will need to ready for the big game.
"We would like to make the most of what we get because it all depends on how many days of hard or soft quarantine we are going to have, when we are going to land and if at all getting a practice game so I don't think we have a choice," he added.
Strict bubble life has become a norm ever since the resumption of international cricket post-COVID hiatus. No wonder, it impacts the preparation and cricketers also find it mentally challenging.
According to Sridhar, however, going to UK with a "slight under-prepared mindset" can also bring the best out of players.
"It's time to be mentally smart, we have a very experienced team going into going to the final. Each guy is capable of adapting to the situation. They have played against New Zealand and played in England.
"So, I think that experience will count and we will have to come to the fore, because we really can't plan as to how many sessions we want because we only have to take what is given to us," he said.
Sridhar further explained how lack of preparation at times work in your favour.
"...sometimes it can work in our favour as well, because that way you're mentally more ready. It's like playing with an injury sometimes when you're injured, you tend to concentrate a little better.
"Sometimes when you're a little under-prepared, you tend to focus more and maybe that will bring the best out of us as well, so that that is the kind of mindset we are going in with," he stated.
With most of the country in lockdown due to the raging second COVID-19 wave, bowling coach Bharat Arun said the players have been given specific tasks while they are at home.
"They have been given specific roles as to what they need to do. But yes, you are restricted because they cannot go out, once we regroup, then we''ll have to see how best we can plan," Arun said.
The bowling coach admitted that New Zealand playing two Tests against England before the WTC final is a definite advantage for the Kane Williamson-led side.
"See, it is definitely an advantage for them...the getting used to English conditions and things like that. but then we''ll have to recall (our past experience) in England...," he said.
"...you know, bring about the experience of the players and the support staff, to make our plans, the scheduling is such that this is what it is. You have to work around that," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
