On Saturday, Pallekele will host the inaugural Twenty20 International between Sri Lanka and India.
Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach for India, arrived at Pallekele on Thursday to begin preparations for the team’s maiden Twenty20 International match against Sri Lanka. The former Netherlands batter was spotted in Team India training gear in a social media photo that went viral. Ten Doeschate is one of the two assistant coaches on new India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s support staff, the other being Abhishek Nayar. For the record, this is the first time two assistant coaches have been part of the Indian cricket establishment. The contracts of bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and batting coach Vikram Rathour were not extended, and Rahul Dravid’s term as head coach concluded last month.
T Dilip, the fielding coach, was the only member of the previous team to remain. In the meantime, Gambhir’s support staff is listed with two assistant coaches rather than a batting or bowling coach. The former KKR mentor made this decision.
Ten Doeschate participated in a training session on Thursday with Team India.
Gambhir is pleased that the board has agreed to most of his demands as the head coach of the Indian squad, even if the full roster of coaches won’t be revealed until after the tour of Sri Lanka. Ryan Ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar, Gambhir’s former teammates with the Kolkata Knight Riders, have joined him as assistant coaches, he disclosed during the media conference.
This will be the main responsibility of the support team. We still have one month left after the tour of Sri Lanka, as I mentioned. After the tour to Sri Lanka, we’ll attempt to finalize. However, I have had close collaborations with individuals like Ryan Ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar. Working with them has been enjoyable over the past two months, particularly during the IPL. They are meticulous experts. I hope Ryan and Abhishek have a prosperous time there.”Perhaps we can be successful in our role as coaches. Along with the other men, I am really forward to work with them. I’ve had some excellent feedback regarding the other guys from the players. Working with them is something I am very excited about. My learning and experience have been really basic,” Gambhir remarked.
Morne Morkel has surfaced as a possible successor to Gambhir as bowling coach ever since the latter’s official hiring.
