There may be a surprising addition to Gautam Gambhir’s support staff, and he might not be Indian. It has been learned that the new India head coach is advocating for the inclusion of Ryan ten Doeschate in the team’s backroom staff. The decision now lies with the BCCI, which has recently preferred only Indian personnel in the coaching crew.
In a move that has sent ripples through the cricketing community, Gambhir, who has requested a free hand in managing the team, wants the 44-year-old former Dutch international as one of his associates. Ten Doeschate has recently worked with Gambhir at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), having served as the team’s fielding coach during their championship-winning run in 2024. His resume is further bolstered by holding various positions with KKR’s subsidiaries in the Caribbean Premier League, Major League Cricket, and ILT20.
A viral video of Gambhir endorsing ten Doeschate has recently made the rounds on social media. In the video, the former KKR mentor can be seen heaping praises on the Dutchman, describing him as the most selfless human being he has ever encountered. “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 declared emphatically.
“I can tell you this because in 2011, my first game as a KKR captain, we only had four overseas (players) available. And this man had a fabulous 50-over World Cup. And we went in that game with only three overseas players. He was carrying drinks in that game with no disappointment on his face. He taught me selflessness. Ryan ten Doeschate (sic),” Gambhir revealed in the video, which was shot at a KKR function last season.
. Those who know Gambhir say he tends to surround himself with people he trusts implicitly.
The current discussion centers around the position ten Doeschate might assume if he is considered. Sources indicate that the BCCI wants to retain T Dilip, a member of Rahul Dravid’s outgoing staff, as the fielding coach. In this scenario, ten Doeschate may be brought in as an assistant coach. However, there is a complication: Abhishek Nayar, who is certain to join Team Gambhir, is also being considered for a similar assistant coach role rather than for a specialized batting coach role.
Some adjustments may be necessary if the BCCI eventually decides to bring ten Doeschate on board. Although a decision has not yet been made, Cricbuzz can confirm that discussions are definitely underway. As discussions intensify, it remains to be seen how the BCCI will accommodate both ten Doeschate and Nayar on the coaching roster.
If ten Doeschate does join the Indian team, KKR will be left without at least three members of its coaching team that helped it win the IPL this year. The potential exodus of coaching talent is a point of concern for the franchise, which has prided itself on nurturing top coaching professionals who often move on to roles in national teams.
Venky Mysore, the CEO of KKR, could not be contacted for confirmation. However, in previous statements, he has emphasized that the franchise management never impedes an individual’s career growth. From Matthew Mott and Trevor Bayliss to Brendon McCullum and now Gambhir, many have moved on to work for national teams after their tenure at KKR. The current physio of the Indian team, Kamlesh Jain, is also a former KKR staff member, exemplifying the franchise’s willingness to support the career advancements of its personnel.
As this intriguing scenario unfolds, cricket insiders and fans alike are curious to see if ten Doeschate will indeed bring his wealth of experience and selfless spirit to the Indian cricket team’s coaching lineup. It could mark a significant shift in the coaching philosophy of Indian cricket, especially under the leadership of Gambhir, who clearly values trust and selflessness as cornerstones of a successful team ethos.