In a major development ahead of India's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in August, the national team's coaching staff has undergone a significant shift as assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has stepped down from his role. The former Netherlands captain, who was considered a vital pillar in head coach Gautam Gambhir's management setup, submitted his resignation to the Board of Control for Cricket in India following the conclusion of the recent white-ball tour of England. Ten Doeschate is set to rejoin the Kolkata Knight Riders coaching staff in the Indian Premier League, marking a return to the franchise where he achieved immense success both as a player and coach.
Resignation Decision Follows Difficult Tour of England
The decision to step aside came in the aftermath of a challenging tour of England, where Team India suffered defeats in both the T20 and ODI series. Ten Doeschate informed the board of his intention to step down during the tour itself. The official confirmation of his resignation coincided with the announcement of the Indian squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka. His departure leaves a crucial vacancy in the support staff, compelling head coach Gautam Gambhir to restructure his core planning team ahead of key international assignments.
Key Strategist in Gautam Gambhir's Coaching Setup
Ryan ten Doeschate joined the Indian support staff in July 2024, taking up the role alongside Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach. Handpicked by Gambhir for his tactical acumen, ten Doeschate played a central role in guiding both the batting and fielding units while contributing heavily to match strategies. His deep technical knowledge and clear communication made him a respected figure inside the Indian dressing room during his tenure with the national side.
Reuniting with Abhishek Nayar at Kolkata Knight Riders
Following his exit from the national team setup, ten Doeschate will return to Kolkata Knight Riders to join their IPL coaching staff. The move sees him reunite with Abhishek Nayar, with whom he previously collaborated both at KKR and during a brief stint with Team India's support staff. Ten Doeschate shares a long history with the Kolkata franchise, having played a key on-field role during KKR's IPL championship victories in 2012 and 2014.
He subsequently transitioned into coaching, serving as KKR's fielding coach from 2022 through 2024. During the 2024 IPL campaign, when Gautam Gambhir served as team mentor, ten Doeschate was an integral member of the coaching staff that helped guide Kolkata Knight Riders to another IPL title triumph.
White-Ball Success Contrasts with Red-Ball Struggles
Ten Doeschate's tenure with the Indian team was defined by contrasting fortunes across formats. Under the coaching setup, India enjoyed stellar success in white-ball cricket, winning the 2025 Asia Cup and successfully defending their T20 World Cup title in 2026 to secure back-to-back world trophies.
However, the team encountered serious difficulties in Test cricket. India lost the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy during their tour of Australia, which was followed by a 3-0 home series sweep by New Zealand and a 2-0 defeat against South Africa. These consecutive red-ball setbacks increased scrutiny on the team's tactical approach, making ten Doeschate's departure a significant moment of transition for the squad.
BCCI Faces Search for New Assistant Coach Before Sri Lanka Tour
With India scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka in August for a two-match Test series, the timing of ten Doeschate's resignation poses an immediate challenge for the team management. The BCCI must now identify a suitable replacement to fill the assistant coach position while maintaining stability within Gautam Gambhir's support staff. All eyes will be on the board's upcoming decision as Team India prepares for critical red-ball fixtures in the coming months.
