Last Updated on 18 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
The Indian cricket support staff has undergone some changes over the last few months. The latest departures have raised some speculation regarding what is going on behind the scenes.
Fielding coach T. Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate have recently left their respective posts. The BCCI described the exits as a routine transition as their contracts have expired. But sources with firsthand knowledge say there may be more to the story.
These changes came after a dismal tour of the UK where India won just one of the 10 games across formats. Reports said the BCCI had called a review meeting after this disastrous campaign to assess the team’s performance and the support staff’s efficiency. Even if the board has not publicly linked the inquiry to the coaching exits, the timing can spark questions.
In international cricket, there is often changes in the support staff, especially at the end of a coaching cycle. However, the quantity of changes is interesting.
The gap between the official explanation and what insiders have said could raise further speculation. The departures may create unease about the atmosphere within the team, even if no formal problems have been reported publicly.
Lack of Clarity & Team Environment
You can’t have an international team made up of just talented players. Discipline, planning, skill development, and a pleasant environment are all critical, Coaches and support staff play an important role in these areas. Players play with more confidence when there is stability from the top down.
Stories of departures have exposed cracks in communication and role clarity issues in the management of the team. Roles and responsibilities have been unclear.
According to a CricBlog source, “Unclarity about their role or future can impact the productivity of support staff members and the overall group’s performance.”
Ryan ten Doeschate’s plight has also been highlighted. When he first left the Indian team, it was said he wanted to spend more time with his family.
But he has already returned to his old association with Kolkata Knight Riders as Head of Cricket Operations. His reasons for leaving the national setup have been questioned by many, who said it was not a family time issue, as he was soon back in the full-time zone.
While it is perfectly okay to look for another job opportunity, the development brings up questions regarding the earlier reason.
RELATED: Ryan ten Doeschate to resign from Team India’s coaching staff after England ODI series
Communication is one of the most important parts to any successful team. Every coach and every member of the support staff has to know what their role is and how it fits into the overall picture. Uncertainty makes it difficult to work with full confidence. In a long international season, even minor miscommunications can add unneeded stress.
Another fact that has been a talking point is Gautam Gambhir as head coach. Since taking over, Gambhir has liked to work with people he trusts and has built a coaching group around his ideas. It’s not uncommon for a head coach to want his own support staff. But too many changes in a short period of time can impact stability. Every coach has a different style of working and with new members coming in and others leaving it becomes difficult to build long-term continuity.
The BCCI has continued to insist that these departures are contract-related. Claims of internal disputes are unsubstantiated until further details are officially released. However, this controversy has been ongoing among cricket fans due to multiple allegations from different sources, which leads the question – where are these leaks coming from?
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CricBlog.
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