In a recent interview with TalkSport Cricket, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate shed light on a concerning trend that has emerged in the Indian cricket landscape. Historically revered for their masterful play against spin bowling, the Indian cricket team has recently shown vulnerability in this very department. Ten Doeschate suggests that the team’s renewed emphasis on excelling against high-quality fast bowling, particularly in overseas conditions, may have inadvertently weakened their prowess against spin.
“It’s a bit surprising and something we didn’t quite anticipate,” ten Doeschate remarked candidly. “The Indian team’s mindset has been so focused on performing in places like Australia and England that we might have taken our eye off the ball when it comes to playing spin, which used to be one of our core strengths.”
The reality of this shift was starkly highlighted during India’s recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, where a near full-strength squad was tormented by the Sri Lankan spinners. The team lost an alarming 27 wickets to spin, a scenario that ten Doeschate is keen to address and rectify. “Getting back to being the best in the world against spin is something I’m particularly looking forward to working on,” he expressed with a sense of determination.
Ten Doeschate is part of a new coaching triad under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, who has recently taken over as the head coach. The Dutchman will join forces with Morne Morkel and Abhishek Nayar, bringing a wealth of international experience and a fresh perspective to the team. While Morkel’s expertise will predominantly benefit the bowling department, Nayar, along with ten Doeschate, will focus on reviving and refining the batting skills, with a particular emphasis on tackling spin bowling.
Interestingly, ten Doeschate downplayed the need for overly technical interventions. “These players already possess exceptional technical skills,” he observed. “Our contribution will be more about enhancing their mindsets, improving situational awareness, and ensuring they have the mental resilience to navigate different phases of the game successfully. It’s about sharing ideas and maintaining a positive mental framework.”
This renewed focus on spin comes at a pivotal moment for Indian cricket. The team has recently achieved a high point, crowned as world champions in the T20 format, and is setting its sights on two major upcoming tournaments: the World Test Championship (WTC) and the Champions Trophy.
. Ten Doeschate recognizes the dual nature of the challenge ahead. “It’s exciting but also a bit daunting,” he admitted. “Qualifying for the WTC final is a tremendous opportunity. We have 10 Tests coming up, five in India over the next few months and five in Australia towards the end of 2024. It’s a great schedule to prove ourselves.”
The assistant coach also turned his thoughts to the Champions Trophy, which looms large on the horizon. “With only three ODIs left in our preparation phase, adjusting between formats will be demanding. But there’s a burning desire within the team to win this too,” he noted.
Looking even further ahead, ten Doeschate highlighted two more critical assignments: a tour to England in the summer of 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026. “Walking into a team fresh off a World Cup victory is no easy task,” he reflected. “Still, the upcoming 18 months offer an array of thrilling series and formidable challenges that any coach would relish.”
Despite the immediate success in the T20 format, the new coaching staff recognizes the importance of ensuring all aspects of India’s cricketing capabilities are honed to perfection. Ten Doeschate’s insights suggest a balanced approach—maintaining India’s newly acquired edge against fast bowling while reclaiming their historical dominance against spin. It’s a comprehensive strategy aimed at equipping the Indian cricket team to meet the multifaceted demands of international cricket.
In essence, as India embarks on this new chapter under Gambhir’s coaching regime, the focus will likely broaden to include a rekindling of their traditional strengths, with spin play at the forefront. The journey promises to be as arduous as it is exhilarating, with high-stakes tournaments and formidable opposition lining up against them. But with a blend of renewed focus, strategic mindset shifts, and the wealth of expertise within the new coaching team, India is poised to navigate this multifaceted cricketing landscape with tenacity and skill.