This Saturday, India faces Sri Lanka in the first T20I at Pallekele. With new strategies from the revised coaching staff, the Indian team has been practicing a lot to unleash its skillful display against the Sri Lankan team. Ryan ten Doeschate was introduced as the new assistant coach of India. Ryan, a former Netherlands batter, joined the team on Thursday.
Ryan’s experience as a player and his understanding of the game are seen as valuable assets. He would also play an important role in guiding the young guys in the team and bringing different perspectives to the team’s preparations. The management is hopeful of getting the desired results in the series with his addition to the setup.
India’s Revamped Coaching Staff for the Cricket Team
Abhishek Nayar also joined the India team as an assistant coach, the first time India has had two assistant coaches. This is a new approach to the setup. Gambhir’s decision for two assistants is to focus on more specialized attention to different areas of the game. How this dual coaching approach makes a difference in the performance of the team remains to be seen.
These changes come after head coach Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended last month. Alongside him, the contracts of batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey were not extended. The renovation is being seen as a strategic move to bring some fresh energy and ideas to the team. Dravid, Rathour, and Mhambrey have contributed a lot to Indian cricket. It is likely that the new setup will build on the foundation laid by the previous coaches but will also bring innovation in its methods to achieve success.
Despite all that, though, fielding coach T Dilip has been retained from the previous regime, which guarantees some sort of continuity in the team’s preparation and training methods. With his knowledge of players, he remains part of the coaching staff. This mix of continuity and change will help the team settle into new strategies the coaches will employ.
Indian Team Training with Fresh Coaching Ideas
The Indian team underwent rigorous training on Thursday, where both Ryan and Abhishek were actively involved. The players responded pretty well to the new style of coaching, and the atmosphere was positive with all the energy. This session was imperative to fine-tune the strategies ahead of the first T20I. The coaches worked on different aspects of the game to make sure the players were prepared enough for the battles ahead. The training session has also provided the opportunity for the coaches to get an idea about the form and fitness of the players. The result of the training effort put in is always to create a cohesive unit that can perform under pressure.
Earlier this week, Gambhir confirmed the news that the names of the two assistant coaches were approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. This was important for the sake of team stability and any planning that may need to be done. Further, it underlines the board’s commitment to doing its best to help players grow. Although the complete list of coaches is to be finalized only after the Sri Lanka tour, Gambhir is happy with the current setup. He says the board has agreed to almost all of his demands as head coach, with very strong backing for Gambhir’s vision concerning the team.
Gambhir said he has previously worked closely with Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar, particularly during the IPL. Gambhir thinks that their skills will help to build strong teamwork and create an environment where players can fully show their abilities. Looking Ahead, Gambhir expects the association of Ryan and Abhishek to be fruitful with the Indian team, especially on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka and in future tours.
