India’s Assistant Coach Ryan ten Doeschate Considering Departure
India’s assistant cricket coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, is reportedly looking to leave the national team setup after the ongoing white-ball tour of England. Sources indicate that the former captain of the Netherlands is feeling unclear about his role and is dissatisfied with his responsibilities over the past two years.
Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wishes to keep ten Doeschate on board beyond his current contract, the 45-year-old has shown interest in returning to franchise cricket. He has already had positive discussions with at least one Indian Premier League (IPL) team.
Reasons for Ten Doeschate’s Discontent
This situation arises as the contracts of support staff under head coach Gautam Gambhir are being assessed following the England tour. While T Dilip, the fielding coach, is unlikely to be retained after a challenging year, the BCCI hoped to continue with Morne Morkel (bowling coach) and ten Doeschate.
Sources suggest that ten Doeschate accepted his role with the understanding that he would be promoted to specialist fielding coach, a position that has never materialized. Currently, Sitanshu Kotak oversees the batting, while Dilip manages fielding and Morne handles the pace bowlers. Ten Doeschate has felt left without a specific role, which has led to his frustration.
A senior BCCI member shared, “When Tendo joined, he was promised the fielding coach’s job, but that didn’t happen.” Despite being a skilled coach, his potential has not been fully utilized, as Dilip has retained his position.
A Challenge for Gambhir
It now falls upon head coach Gautam Gambhir to persuade ten Doeschate to stay, especially since Gambhir had personally recommended him after their successful stint together at Kolkata Knight Riders. Ten Doeschate has been largely working behind the scenes but feels his contributions are limited without a dedicated responsibility.
His possible exit would leave Gambhir with another gap to fill in his support team, particularly if T Dilip is also let go after the England tour.
Concerns Over Fielding Standards
India’s fielding has been widely criticized over the past year, especially after significant lapses in major tournaments. This issue became evident during the recent T20I series in the U.K., where India struggled in the field, ending with a disappointing 0-6 record in the Ireland and England series.
The BCCI is likely to finalize the future of the support staff as India prepares for the tour of Sri Lanka. If ten Doeschate decides to leave, the team may have to reevaluate its coaching staff plans, particularly with uncertainty surrounding T Dilip’s role as well.
