India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Three members of India’s men’s cricket team’s support staff are facing an uncertain future, with their contracts set to expire at the end of the ongoing limited-overs tour of England. The continuation of assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, bowling coach Morne Morkel and fielding coach T. Dilip remains under consideration as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) weighs its options ahead of a crucial phase in the team’s build-up to the next year’s ODI World Cup.
The Hindu understands that assistant coach ten Doeschate and bowling coach Morkel — both handpicked by head coach Gautam Gambhir while taking charge in July 2024 — have been reluctant to commit to fresh contracts owing to a combination of personal and professional factors.
It is learnt that both have expressed concerns over the long periods spent away from their families, with the demanding international calendar making it increasingly difficult to strike a balance between professional commitments and personal life. Besides the personal aspect, discussions have also revolved around role clarity and the roadmap for the support staff beyond the current cycle.
The BCCI and Gambhir are understood to be evaluating whether to persuade the duo to continue until the next year’s World Cup in South Africa. While no final decision has been taken, the matter is expected to be resolved soon after the England tour.
Fielding coach T. Dilip, meanwhile, finds himself in a different situation. The only member retained from the previous coaching set-up led by Rahul Dravid, Dilip, has completed his tenure and is awaiting clarity on whether he will be offered an extension.
The timing of the decision is significant, with the BCCI’s review committee scheduled to meet later this month to assess the team’s performance and chart the way forward.
Published – July 14, 2026 07:49 pm IST
