(Source X)
Gautam Gambhir, newly appointed as the head coach of Team India, has expressed interest in including a former Netherlands all-rounder in his coaching staff. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has maintained its preference for Indian personnel in coaching roles.
Gambhir, who takes over from Rahul Dravid following the latter’s tenure that concluded after India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, inherits a team that thrived under Dravid’s leadership. During Dravid’s tenure, India reached the finals of the ICC World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup, though they narrowly missed clinching the titles.
Gambhir himself is no stranger to success, having played pivotal roles in India’s triumphs in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, where he emerged as the top scorer in both finals. Across his illustrious career spanning 242 matches in all formats, the 42-year-old amassed 10,324 runs, including 20 centuries and 63 half-centuries for India.
Gautam Gambhir supports including Ryan ten Doeschate.
According to a report from Cricbuzz, Gautam Gambhir is advocating for Ryan ten Doeschate to join the coaching staff, pending approval from the BCCI. Gambhir, who desires autonomy in team management, previously collaborated with ten Doeschate during their time at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL.
In a widely circulated video, Gambhir lauded Ryan ten Doeschate, hailing him as the most selfless individual he has ever encountered. Gambhir expressed a profound admiration, stating he would willingly endure hardships for ten Doeschate. He recounted an instance where ten Doeschate, despite not making the playing XI, uncomplainingly served as the drinks carrier.
“When I talk about selflessness, I have never said this in 42 years of my career. And I wanted to say this. The greatest team man I ever played with, the most selfless human being, someone I can take a bullet for, someone who I can trust for life,” Gambhir said.
“I can tell you this because in 2011, my first game as a KKR captain, we only had four overseas (players) available. And this man had a fabulous 50-over World Cup. And we went in that game with only three overseas players. He was carrying drinks in that game with no disappointment on his face. He taught me selflessness. Ryan ten Doeschate (sic),” Gambhir added.
Ryan ten Doeschate was a pioneering figure at the IPL 2011 auction, clinching a contract with KKR as the first associate player in the Indian T20 league’s history. His tenure with Kolkata spanned from 2011 to 2015, during which he contributed 326 runs and claimed two wickets. His association with the franchise continued as he was appointed as their fielding coach in November 2022.
