NEW DELHI: The announcement of
Gautam Gambhir
as the new head coach of the Indian men's cricket team has brought a wave of excitement among fans and players alike.
But the buzz doesn't stop there.
Potentially joining Gambhir's team as assistant coaches are former India all-rounder
Abhishek Nayar
and former Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate.
Although the BCCI has not yet officially confirmed these appointments, the cricketing world is already abuzz with anticipation.
Gambhir's legacy as a leader is well-known. His tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) saw the team rise from mediocrity to championship glory, clinching two IPL titles under his captaincy. Now, as the head coach of Team India, Gambhir brings with him a wealth of experience and a reputation for revitalizing struggling teams.
Gambhir-Doeschate camaraderie
Gambhir's knack for leadership was on full display when he led KKR to the knockout stages in his first year as captain and subsequently to IPL victories in 2012 and 2014.
Now as the mentor, he brought the glory days back to KKR this year, though not single-handedly.
With Ryan ten Doeschate orchestrating from behind the scenes, Gambhir had a man for whom he could, in his own words, even take a bullet.
In a media interaction, Gambhir referred to Ryan ten Doeschate as the "greatest team man" he has ever played with. He recounted an anecdote from 2011 when ten Doeschate, despite having a stellar 50-over World Cup, carried drinks without a hint of disappointment. This act of selflessness left an indelible mark on Gambhir, shaping his own leadership ethos.
"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 have ever played with, the most selfless human being, someone I can take a bullet for, someone who I can trust for life, and I can tell you this because in 2011, for my first game as a KKR captain, we only had four overseas players available, and this man had a fabulous 50-over World Cup. We went in that game with only three overseas players, and he was carrying drinks in that game with no disappointment on his face. He taught me selflessness. Ryan ten Doeschate. These are the people who made me the leader," Gambhir previously said during a media interaction.
Who is Ryan ten Doeschate?
Born on June 30, 1980, in Port Elizabeth, Cape Province, Ryan ten Doeschate is a former Netherlands international, who has had a cricketing journey nothing short of remarkable.
Discovered by Essex during a pre-season tour of South Africa, Ryan ten Doeschate's all-round abilities for Western Province caught their eye. His EU citizenship qualified him to play county cricket, paving the way for his impressive career.
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches, the right-handed batting all-rounder and right-arm fast-medium bowler left an indelible mark on every team he played for.
His impressive stats speak volumes: an average of 67 in ODIs, with five centuries and nine fifties in just 33 matches, and a strike rate of 132.92 in T20Is.
In his IPL career, the part-time medium-pacer played 29 matches and took 2 wickets with a best bowling figure of 1/24 while maintaining an economy rate of 7.23.
When it comes to his batting numbers, Ryan ten Doeschate scored 326 runs at an average of 23.29, with a highest score of 70* across 29 IPL matches.
Ten Doeschate's talent took him across the globe, playing for clubs and franchise teams in the Netherlands, England, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Pakistan.
In September 2021, Ryan ten Doeschate bid farewell to his illustrious cricketing career, announcing his retirement by year's end. His swan song came on October 20, 2021, in a final international match against Namibia during the group stage of the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
However, his association with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL further cemented his reputation as a versatile and reliable player.
A man of character
What sets ten Doeschate apart is not just his statistics but his character. Known for his humility and dedication, he has often been described as the best associate player among non-Test-playing nations.
His performances in the 2011 ICC World Cup, particularly his career-best 119 against England, showcased his ability to shine on the biggest stage.
Yet, despite his individual brilliance, ten Doeschate remains a quintessential team player, always prioritizing the collective over personal glory.
As ten Doeschate looks set to join Gambhir and Nayar in the Indian coaching setup, the anticipation for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka is palpable.
With Gambhir's strategic acumen, Nayar's all-around expertise, and ten Doeschate's selfless spirit, Team India is poised to benefit from a diverse and experience-rich coaching team.
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