There might be a surprise addition to Gautam Gambhir's support team, and he might not be Indian. According to reports, the incoming India head coach wants Ryan ten Doeschate to join the team's backroom staff. The choice now rests with the BCCI, which recently preferred only Indian coaches.
Gambhir, who has demanded a free hand in team management, wants the 44-year-old former Dutch international to be one of his collaborators. Ten Doeschate most recently worked with Gambhir at the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he was the team's fielding coach during their championship-winning season in 2024. He also has different responsibilities with KKR's Caribbean Premier League, Major League Cricket, and ILT20 franchises.
A viral video of Gambhir complimenting ten Doeschate was recently shared on social media. In the video, the former KKR mentor claims that the Dutchman is the most unselfish human being he has ever met, and that he would even take a bullet for him. "In my 42-year career, I've never mentioned selflessness. And I wanted to say something. The best teammate I've ever had, the most unselfish person I've ever known, someone I'd take a bullet for, and someone I can rely on for my whole life.
"I can tell you this because in 2011, my first game as KKR captain, we only had four overseas players available. And this man had an outstanding 50-over World Cup. And we went into the game with only three international players. He was carrying beverages in the game with no signs of displeasure on his face. He taught me selflessness. "Ryan ten Doeschate (sic)," Gambhir says in the video, which was taken at a KKR function last season. Those who know Gambhir say he like to surround himself with individuals he trusts wholeheartedly.
The present debate is around the posture ten Doeschate may take if he is considered. The BCCI apparently wishes to keep T Dilip, a member of Rahul Dravid's departing staff, as the fielding coach. In this situation, Ten Doeschate may be hired as an assistant coach. However, there is a complication: Abhishek Nayar, who is almost set to join Team Gambhir, is also being considered for a similar assistant coach post rather than a dedicated batting coach position.
Some changes may be required if the BCCI agrees to get ten Doeschate on board. Although a decision has not yet been taken, Cricbuzz can confirm that conversations are in progress. If ten Doeschate joins the Indian team, KKR will be without at
Venky Mysore, the CEO, could not be reached for confirmation. However, he has previously maintained that franchise management never impedes an individual's professional development. Many former KKR players have gone on to work for national teams, including Matthew Mott and Trevor Bayliss, Brendon McCullum, and now Gambhir. Even Kamlesh Jain, the Indian team's current physiotherapist, was formerly employed by KKR.
