India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has expressed concerns that India’s renowned strength against spin bowling has waned due to an increased focus on mastering fast bowling. Historically celebrated for their batting prowess against spin, India faced significant difficulties in their recent One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka, where they lost 27 wickets to spin. As India embarks on preparations for upcoming global tournaments, ten Doeschate is keen to restore this lost edge.
In a recent interview with TalkSport Cricket, ten Doeschate highlighted the shift in India’s cricketing mindset. “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 stated. “I guess one of the challenges that I wasn’t expecting and kind of overlooked is the playing of spin.”
He further delved into the mindset transformation, emphasizing the team’s efforts to excel in overseas conditions such as Australia and England, which traditionally favor fast bowling. “We’ve kind of let playing spin, which was always the strength of the Indian team, fall back a little bit. So that’s one thing I’m looking forward to, helping get to that position where Indians are the best players of spin in the world again,” ten Doeschate added.
Ryan ten Doeschate is one of three assistant coaches under the new head coach Gautam Gambhir. While Morne Morkel is set to boost the team’s bowling capabilities, ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar will share the responsibility of refining batting techniques. According to ten Doeschate, the primary focus will not be on technical adjustments but rather on mental aspects and situational awareness. “It’s more about mindsets, situational awareness, how we think they can control certain phases of the game. It’s about throwing ideas out there, de-briefing and keeping the mental space really good. That’s going to be really important.
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The new coaching regime steps into their role at a pivotal juncture for Indian cricket. The team has recently been crowned T20 world champions and has significant upcoming commitments, including the World Test Championship (WTC) and the Champions Trophy. “It’s exciting and kind of daunting at the same time,” ten Doeschate admitted. “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] is going to be great.”
Ten Doeschate also pointed out the medium-term goal of capturing the Champions Trophy, emphasizing the challenge of transitioning between different formats of the game in the limited preparation time. “With only three ODIs left in the prep 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 noted.
Looking ahead, ten Doeschate is already contemplating on India’s next WTC cycle, which includes a crucial tour to England in the summer of 2025 and preparations 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,” he elaborated.
Ten Doeschate’s primary agenda remains clear—reviving India’s formidable gameplay against spin. By honing the mental fortitude and situational acumen of the players, he aims to restore the balance that has slightly tipped in favor of fast bowling. With these strategic and psychological tools, the coaching staff embodies a holistic approach, ensuring that India’s cricketers are mentally prepared and adaptable to all game phases.
The coming months promise crucial fixtures and significant challenges, but with astute guidance and revitalized focus, India’s cricketing future appears robust and promising. As the team switches between formats and conditions, ten Doeschate’s insights and strategies might be the linchpin that re-anchors India’s legacy as the pre-eminent players of spin.