Published on: Jul 14, 2026 5:51 pm IST|Updated on: Jul 14, 2026 5:51 pm IST
The Indian cricket team’s backroom setup is on the verge of a massive shakeup. Following a demanding white-ball tour of the United Kingdom, explosive reports have emerged indicating that Team India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, is looking to step down from his prestigious position.
The former Netherlands all-rounder was handpicked by head coach Gautam Gambhir when he assumed charge of the national team in July 2024. Given their close professional bond and highly successful history together at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, the sudden news of his potential departure has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community. This development has naturally sparked rampant speculation: Is there an underlying rift within the think tank, or is there a completely different story behind the scenes?
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Whenever a high-profile coach decides to step away prematurely from Indian cricket, rumors of an internal rift or locker-room politics quickly take center stage. However, inside sources have completely rubbished any claims of friction between Ryan ten Doeschate and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The reality behind his decision has absolutely nothing to do with internal dissatisfaction or the team’s recent on-field struggles in the T20I format. Instead, the decision is entirely personal and stems from a desire to achieve a healthier work-life balance.
According to reports, the 45-year-old Ryan ten Doeschate has found the continuous, relentless travel schedule incredibly difficult to manage alongside his family commitments. An unnamed BCCI source shed light on the exact situation, stating:
“Doeschate isn’t very sure of continuing with this job. He has conveyed his problems with travelling with the team throughout the year.”
Ten Doeschate’s family is based in London. With three young children at home, spending months on end away in India or on bilateral tours has taken a heavy toll. He is reportedly looking for a coaching role that offers a far less demanding schedule and significantly less travel, allowing him to spend valuable time with his family. Rumors suggest he might be in active talks with a few Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, where the coaching commitment is limited to a compact two-to-three-month window each year.
The timing of his departure aligns precisely with the natural expiration of his initial short-term paperwork with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His original two-year agreement is understood to have officially concluded right in the middle of the England tour, around July 12–14.
Ten Doeschate has already communicated his personal constraints to the Indian board and requested to be formally relieved. Because his departure is entirely amicable and based on valid domestic reasons, neither the BCCI nor head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to stand in his way or reject his request.
If all the remaining terms are mutually wrapped up, the third and final ODI match between India and England on July 19 is highly anticipated to be his very last assignment sitting in the Indian dugout alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir.