Reports from prominent outlets like Hindustan Times confirm that assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has requested the BCCI to relieve him of his duties following the conclusion of the ongoing ODI series against England. His initial two-year contract, which started in July 2024, concluded around July 14, 2026. The decision stems from a combination of significant personal factors and professional concerns over unfulfilled promises.
On a personal front, the rigorous travel schedule required by the Indian national team has kept him away from his family, who reside in London. Professionally, ten Doeschate joined the setup under head coach Gautam Gambhir with the expectation of transitioning into the role of a specialist fielding coach. However, senior player interventions led the board to repeatedly extend T Dilip's contract instead.
This situation left ten Doeschate's responsibilities loosely defined and restricted his ability to utilize his specific expertise. While the BCCI would prefer to retain his services over Dilip's, the former Netherlands all-rounder is already looking to step down amicably after the final ODI at Lord's on July 19.
Ryan ten Doeschate's journey with Team India under Gautam Gambhir
Ryan ten Doeschate joined Team India's coaching setup after Gautam Gambhir was appointed head coach following Rahul Dravid's successful tenure. The former Netherlands all-rounder arrived with an impressive coaching résumé, having worked closely with Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League. Their successful partnership in franchise cricket played a key role in his appointment to the Indian team.
As assistant coach, Ten Doeschate became an important member of India's support staff alongside batting coach Abhishek Nayar, bowling coach Morne Morkel and fielding coach T. Dilip. He brought years of experience from domestic leagues around the world and was widely respected for his calm approach, tactical awareness and ability to work closely with players.
During his stint with Team India, Ten Doeschate focused on player development, match preparation and batting support. He worked behind the scenes with both senior stars and emerging cricketers, helping them adapt to different match situations and conditions. His collaborative relationship with Gambhir ensured continuity in planning and execution during training camps and international assignments.
Before entering coaching, Ten Doeschate enjoyed an outstanding playing career with the Netherlands. He featured in multiple ICC tournaments and earned a reputation as one of the finest associate nation cricketers, thanks to his consistent performances with both bat and ball.
Although his tenure with Team India was relatively short, Ten Doeschate quickly established himself as a valued member of the coaching group. Reports of his request to step down have therefore come as a surprise, leaving uncertainty over the future composition of India's coaching staff ahead of a busy international calendar.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, a long-time associate from their days at KKR, holds the power to veto the resignation but is unlikely to block a departure rooted in family commitments. Consequently, ten Doeschate has already initiated fruitful discussions with at least one IPL franchise to return to a more compact, franchise-based coaching model.
