India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has expressed concerns about the national team’s recent struggles against spin bowling. Traditionally lauded for their prowess against the turning ball, India has seen a noticeable dip in performance in this area, which has become especially apparent in recent series. These developments are, according to ten Doeschate, an unintended consequence of their increased focus on excelling against high-quality fast bowling, primarily to do well in overseas competitions.
In their latest ODI series against Sri Lanka, India lost an alarming 27 wickets to spinners, a statistic that has not gone unnoticed by ten Doeschate. He spoke candidly in an interview with TalkSport Cricket about this emerging vulnerability. “The Indian mindset has become so driven to do well overseas that the focus has moved away from what was once their strength—playing spin,” he noted. This shift, he believes, has inadvertently led to the current predicament. “We were undone in Sri Lanka, and I think the mindset of the Indians has been such that they are so driven to do well overseas. I think the focus has moved to doing well in Australia and doing well in England, and we’ve kind of let playing spin, which was always the strength of the Indian team, fall back a little bit.”
Ten Doeschate, who is one of three assistant coaches working under new head coach Gautam Gambhir, has vowed to address this regression. Unlike Morne Morkel, who is slated to enhance the team’s bowling capabilities, ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar are tasked with batting improvements. “One thing I’m looking forward to is helping get to that position where Indians are the best players of spin in the world again,” he said. However, he clarified that the remedial measures would not involve overly technical adjustments. “I don’t think much of what we’re going to bring is technical knowledge to these guys. It’s more about mindsets, situational awareness, how we think they can control certain phases of the game.”
The focus will be on fostering a positive mental space and enhancing situational awareness among the players.
. “It’s about throwing ideas out there, de-briefing, and keeping the mental space really good. That’s going to be really important,” articulated ten Doeschate. The timing of this transition under a new coaching staff is particularly significant as India embarks on an exciting but challenging phase. Fresh off a victory as T20 world champions, the team now sets its sights on the upcoming World Test Championship and the Champions Trophy.
“It’s exciting and kind of daunting at the same time,” ten Doeschate admitted. The next 18 months promise a packed schedule, featuring critical tournaments and high-stakes series. “In terms of what we’re looking forward to, qualifying for the WTC final. There’s a great opportunity with 10 Tests left, five in India over the next couple of months and then going to Australia for five more at the end of 2024,” he outlined. This will be followed by the Champions Trophy, for which only three ODI matches remain in the preparation phase. “It’s going to be really challenging to switch between the formats and get the team ready for that, which again is something they’re desperate to win,” he emphasized.
Looking ahead, the next World Test Championship cycle includes a tour to England in the summer of 2025, followed by preparatory work for the 2026 T20 World Cup. “In terms of timing, it’s quite difficult to walk into a team that’s just come back with the World Cup, but in terms of what’s ahead for the next 18 months, it’s mouth-watering as a coach. It’s all the series you want to be involved in and all the challenges you want to come up against,” said ten Doeschate, encapsulating the ambition and excitement shared within the coaching staff.
In summary, the arrival of Ryan ten Doeschate and the new coaching squad signals a period of strategic refinement and comprehensive preparation for Indian cricket. They are not just aiming to restore India’s former glory against spin bowling but also to maintain their ascendant trajectory in various formats on the global stage. With the right mindset and situational awareness, ten Doeschate is optimistic about reclaiming India’s reputation as the world’s best players of spin, while ensuring they remain formidable opponents in fast-bowling conditions across different geographies.