Team India’s newly appointed assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has highlighted a pressing concern for the Indian cricket team—their recent struggles against spin bowling. An established figure in the cricketing world, ten Doeschate’s insights have shed new light on the areas that require immediate attention as India prepares for a series of critical contests.
During an extensive interview with TalkSport Cricket, ten Doeschate candidly discussed his unexpected realization that India’s proficiency against spin has waned. “I wasn’t anticipating spin to be an issue for Indian batters,” ten Doeschate admitted, reflecting the traditional narrative that Indian players are typically adept at handling spin bowling. This perception, however, altered dramatically following India’s performance in Sri Lanka.
In their recent three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, India conceded a staggering 27 wickets to spin—a record for the most wickets lost against spinners in a bilateral men’s ODI series of four or fewer matches. The primary architects of India’s downfall were Dunith Wellalage, who secured multiple five-wicket hauls to make history, and Jeffrey Vandersay with his leg-breaks. This duo effectively dismantled India’s batting lineup, guiding Sri Lanka to their first bilateral series win over India since 1997.
Reflecting on these performances, ten Doeschate observed that India’s focus on excelling in overseas conditions might have contributed to their diminished competence against spin. “The shift in mindset towards succeeding in Australia and England has seemingly caused a dip in our traditional strength against spin,” he explained. Ten Doeschate emphasized the need for a deliberate effort to restore India’s position as the world’s foremost players of spin. “Getting Indian batters back to being the best players of spin globally is something I’m eager to address.”
The cricketing world has taken note of ten Doeschate’s strategic vision and approach. His rich experience and fresh perspective are expected to bring valuable insights to the Indian coaching staff.
. However, the challenges ahead are formidable.
As ten Doeschate aptly noted, with several marquee tournaments on the horizon, the Indian cricket team faces a significant test. He expressed both excitement and a sense of daunting responsibility about the prospects. “Qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final next June is a key goal,” he said, highlighting the schedule that includes ten Tests—five in India over the upcoming months and another five in Australia at the end of 2024.
In addition to the WTC, India’s medium-term targets include the Champions Trophy set for February 2025. “With only three ODIs remaining in the prep phase, it will be extremely challenging to switch formats and fine-tune the team for this tournament,” ten Doeschate noted. The desire to perform well and add another trophy to India’s storied cricketing history will be a driving force for the team.
Further into the future, the next WTC cycle presents another major challenge with a tour to England in the summer of 2025, followed by preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup. “Stepping into a team on the back of the 2024 T20 World Cup will be tough, but the schedule over the next 18 months is thrilling for any coach. It features all the series you aspire to be part of,” said ten Doeschate, underlining his readiness to embrace the challenges ahead.
Ryan ten Doeschate’s appointment as an assistant coach comes at a crucial juncture for Indian cricket. The upcoming months and years will be pivotal not only for rectifying their issues against spin but also for achieving success in various high-stakes tournaments. His experience and strategic planning are anticipated to galvanize the Indian team, returning them to their former glory as formidable opponents against spin and solidifying their status as a global cricket powerhouse.
By addressing these challenges head-on and instilling a renewed focus on their traditional strengths, ten Doeschate aims to steer Team India toward a new era of dominance in the cricketing world.
