Ryan Ten Doeschate has joined the Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka as the new assistant coach ahead of the three-match T20I series. He will be part of the coaching staff under newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. The back-room staff also includes Abhishek Nayar as another assistant coach, with Morne Morkel expected to be the bowling coach.
Ten Doeschate, who was previously a fielding coach for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has a history of working with Gambhir from their IPL days. This experience is likely to benefit the team, especially considering speculation that India might adopt a split coaching strategy. Under this system, Ten Doeschate would focus on the white-ball formats while Nayar would handle coaching responsibilities for Test matches.
The Indian team arrived in Sri Lanka a few days ago, providing Ten Doeschate with a brief period to work with the players before the first T20I on July 27. As a former Netherlands cricket player, Ten Doeschate was one of the best batters for his country, averaging 67 in ODIs and 41 in T20Is. His experience in international cricket and the IPL, where he played under Gambhir’s captaincy, adds significant value to the Indian coaching setup.
Following the T20I series, India will compete in a three-match ODI series starting on August 2. This tour presents an opportunity for the new coaching team to establish their strategies and build rapport with the players ahead of future international fixtures.
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