Ahead of a crucial upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, the support staff setup of the Indian men's cricket team has undergone a significant restructuring. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, two prominent members of the backroom team—assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and fielding coach T. Dilip—have officially ended their tenure with the national squad. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that both coaches' contracts reached their natural conclusion, and the administration opted against renewing their terms. Following this decision, Subhadeep Ghosh has been brought in as the new fielding coach and will assume his responsibilities starting with the Test series scheduled to begin on August 15.
Contract Expirations and the Timing of the Staff Changes
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the departures were tied directly to the completion of their contractual agreements. T. Dilip had been serving as Team India's fielding coach since 2021, and his official contract expired on June 8. Meanwhile, former Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate saw his contract wrap up on June 10. The timing of their departure comes right before Team India's scheduled departure for Sri Lanka on August 4. The tour features a two-match Test series starting August 15, marking India's first red-ball series on Sri Lankan soil in ten years. These two matches carry immense weight for both teams in the context of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship standings.
Performance Scrutiny and Dynamics Within the Dressing Room
The coaching shakeup comes amid scrutiny following inconsistent team performances in recent outings. Although Ryan ten Doeschate held the official title of assistant coach, his primary duties involved collaborating with Sitanshu Kotak in overseeing the batting group, alongside offering support to T. Dilip during fielding drills. Within the squad, ten Doeschate served as a key approachable figure for players, providing a comfortable channel for cricketers to discuss technical difficulties and personal concerns without hesitation—issues they sometimes felt reluctant to address directly with head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, recent lapses in batting stability and sub-par fielding displays put pressure on the coaching collective, contributing to the decision not to extend their contracts.
New Horizon at Kolkata Knight Riders and Morne Morkel's Retention
Shortly after parting ways with Team India, Ryan ten Doeschate secured a major coaching appointment with IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His connection with Gautam Gambhir traces back to KKR's coaching setup, where ten Doeschate was part of the core staff that helped the franchise lift the IPL trophy after a long gap. When Gambhir took over as India's head coach in mid-2024, he brought ten Doeschate along into the national setup. At KKR, ten Doeschate will now work alongside head coach Abhishek Nayar. Notably, Nayar himself had previously been relieved of his assistant coaching role with Team India following the team's disappointing performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, after which Sitanshu Kotak replaced him. In contrast, former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel will continue in his role as India's pace bowling coach. The board has extended Morkel's contract through next year's 50-over World Cup in South Africa, expecting his extensive knowledge of local conditions to be invaluable.
Team India's Complete Coaching Roster for the Sri Lanka Tour
With the adjustments finalized, Gautam Gambhir's management group is set for the upcoming assignment. Gambhir continues as head coach, supported by Sitanshu Kotak handling batting coaching duties. Morne Morkel remains in charge of the fast bowlers, while Sairaj Bahutule continues as the spin bowling coach. Hari Prasad Mohan stays on as the team analyst, and Subhadeep Ghosh steps into the fielding coach position. The squad departs for Sri Lanka on August 4 to prepare for the two-test series commencing August 15, aiming to secure vital points in the World Test Championship cycle.
