India’s newly appointed head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has officially confirmed the support staff that will accompany the men’s cricket team on their forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka. During this tour, the team is slated to compete in three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs). Addressing the media ahead of the team’s departure, Gambhir expressed both surprise and satisfaction regarding recent speculations about his choices for the support staff, noting his relief that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had met the majority of his requests.
While the full composition of the coaching staff remains in flux, Gambhir did disclose that prominent figures such as Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate have already committed to joining him on the tour to Sri Lanka. Both Nayar and ten Doeschate share a successful history with Gambhir, having worked together during his tenure as captain for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“This core team, comprising Abhishek and Ryan, will form the backbone of our support staff,” stated Gambhir at the media briefing. “Although we still have about a month after the Sri Lanka tour to finalize the entire coaching team, I am confident we are on the right track,” the former Indian opener further elaborated.
Reflecting on his professional relationship with both individuals, Gambhir expressed enthusiasm about the prospects ahead. “Having worked closely with Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate over the last few months, particularly in the IPL, I can vouch for their professionalism and commitment. They are consummate professionals, and I am hopeful that their input will translate into a successful coaching tenure for all of us,” Gambhir said.
Addressing the ongoing rumors, Gambhir clarified, “There were numerous reports about my demands for the composition of the support staff. I must admit, I was quite surprised by some of the stories circulating. Nonetheless, I am pleased to confirm that the BCCI has agreed to most of my requests. Both Abhishek and Ryan will be serving as assistant coaches. Their roles will be multi-faceted, covering all three departments of the game rather than being restricted to specific niches.”
In addition to Nayar and ten Doeschate, Gambhir disclosed that Sairaj Bahutule and T Dilip would also be part of the support staff for the Sri Lanka tour.
. Bahutule, who has previously traveled with a young Indian side to Zimbabwe as a spin bowling coach, will be acting as the interim bowling coach for this tour. T Dilip, on the other hand, will retain his position as the fielding coach. The comprehensive team line-up is expected to be finalized following the conclusion of the Sri Lanka tour.
Expanding on the support staff appointments, Gambhir stated, “We have Sairaj Bahutule as our bowling coach, and T Dilip will continue his duties as the fielding coach. Ryan ten Doeschate will join us directly in Colombo. This mix of experienced and young coaches should provide a balanced approach to our training and strategy execution.”
The tour of Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence on July 27 with the T20I series, to be held in Pallekele, followed by the ODI series in Colombo. This tour represents a critical juncture for the Indian team, both in terms of performance and team cohesion under Gambhir’s new leadership.
In recent related news, several announcements have also stirred conversations in cricket circles. Ajit Agarkar, a notable figure in Indian cricket, has provided insights into decisions such as Hardik Pandya’s captaincy snub, as well as the omission of Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad from the T20I squad, and Sanju Samson from the ODI lineup.
Additionally, speculations about the long-term plans for senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, including their potential participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup, were briefly touched upon by Gambhir. However, these discussions were more forward-looking, keeping the immediate focus on the imminent Sri Lanka tour.
As the Indian cricket team gears up for this crucial series, the newly formed support staff under Gambhir’s leadership will be in the spotlight. The appointments of Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, Sairaj Bahutule, and T Dilip signify a blend of experience and new energy, which the team hopes will translate into on-field success. All eyes will be on the squad as they kick off their engagements in Sri Lanka, aiming to build momentum and camaraderie ahead of the upcoming cricketing challenges.
