India's poor form with the bat in Sri Lanka has sparked a lot of debate, and surprisingly, Gautam Gambhir's coaching team was also shocked. Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, confessed he didn't think he would have to work on the players' ability to handle spin. Yet, after the hosts' spinners tore through the lineup for 27 wickets, it became clear the batters were out of their depth—a concern that Captain Rohit Sharma admits needs to be fixed.
There were some questions about India’s batting display in Sri Lanka, and it has now surfaced that head coach Gautam Gambhir’s staff was taken aback by it as well. Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, stated he didn’t believe he would have to focus on the Indian players’ ability to handle spin bowling. Against the hosts’ spinners, who have taken 27 Indian wickets in the series, they looked especially clueless. According to Captain Rohit Sharma, this was a problem that needed to be addressed.
Ten Doeschate mentioned that this was an unexpected hurdle, but one he is keen to resolve. In an interview with TalkSport Cricket, he admitted that he had underestimated the struggle Indian batters were having with spin, which ultimately led to their downfall in Sri Lanka.
The former Dutch all-rounder noted that India's obsession with winning in overseas conditions, specifically in the UK and Australia, has caused them to lose touch with their natural strength: playing spin. He believes this shift in focus led to a decline in their skills, and he is now committed to helping the team regain their position as the premier spin-players on the global stage.
He concluded by explaining that his role isn't necessarily about teaching basic technique, as these players already know the fundamentals. Instead, he wants to focus on their mental approach, situational awareness, and game management. For ten Doeschate, it's all about brainstorming new ideas, analyzing performances, and ensuring the players are in the right headspace to perform.