In a surprising move, Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, is advocating for the inclusion of former Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate in the team’s support staff. The decision, however, rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has recently shown a preference for Indian personnel in its coaching setup.
Gambhir’s Vision for the Support Staff
Gambhir, who has requested full autonomy in managing the team, believes that ten Doeschate would be a valuable addition to the Indian cricket team’s backroom staff. The 44-year-old has recently worked with Gambhir at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), serving as the fielding coach during their championship-winning campaign in 2024. Ten Doeschate also holds various coaching positions with KKR’s subsidiaries in the Caribbean Premier League, Major League Cricket, and ILT20.
A viral video circulating on social media shows Gambhir praising ten Doeschate, calling him the most selfless person he has ever played with. “When I talk about selflessness, I have never said this in 42 years of my career. And I wanted to say this. The greatest team man I ever played with, the most selfless human being, someone I can take a bullet for, someone who I can trust for life,” Gambhir stated in the video.
Potential Role for Ten Doeschate
The current discussion revolves around the specific role ten Doeschate might assume if he joins the Indian cricket team. The BCCI reportedly wants to retain T Dilip, a member of Rahul Dravid’s outgoing staff, as the fielding coach. In this scenario, ten Doeschate could be brought in as an assistant coach. However, this position is also being considered for Abhishek Nayar, who is certain to join Gambhir’s team.
To accommodate ten Doeschate, some adjustments may be necessary. The BCCI has not yet made a final decision, but sources confirm that discussions are underway. If ten Doeschate is brought on board, KKR will lose at least three members of its coaching staff that contributed to their recent IPL victory.
Support from KKR and Beyond
Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR, has previously stated that the franchise management never impedes an individual’s career growth. This approach has allowed several KKR staff members, including Matthew Mott, Trevor Bayliss, Brendon McCullum, and now Gambhir, to move on to national team roles. Even the current physio of the Indian team, Kamlesh Jain, is a former KKR staff member.
Gambhir’s push for ten Doeschate underscores his commitment to surrounding himself with trusted individuals. His belief in the Dutchman’s capabilities is evident from their time together at KKR and the strong endorsement he has publicly given.
Impact on Indian Cricket
If ten Doeschate joins the Indian cricket team, his extensive experience and selfless attitude could bring a new dimension to the team’s preparation and strategy. His ability to foster a positive and hardworking environment aligns with Gambhir’s vision for the team.
The inclusion of ten Doeschate, a non-Indian coach, would be a significant shift in the BCCI’s recent policy but could prove to be a strategic masterstroke if he brings the same success to the national team that he did to KKR.
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