Indian batters struggled against spin during the recent ODI series in Sri Lanka, which resulted in a 2-0 series loss after the first match in Colombo ended in a tie. This was India’s first bilateral series defeat to Sri Lanka in the 50-over format since 1997.

Throughout the series, India failed to chase targets under 250 runs, including a particularly poor performance in the final match where they were bowled out for just 138, leading to a 110-run loss.

Ryan Ten Doeschate, who accompanied the Indian team as one of the assistant coaches, was taken aback by the difficulties the Indian batting lineup faced against spin bowling. The former Dutch cricketer hadn’t anticipated spin to be a major issue and is keen to help the Indian batters improve their performance in this area.

Sri Lankan spinners claimed 27 wickets over the course of the three-match series.

Ten Doeschate commented on TalkSport Cricket, “One of the unexpected challenges was how Indian batters struggled against spin. We didn’t perform well in Sri Lanka.” He noted that India’s focus on succeeding in overseas conditions, like in Australia and England, might have led to a decline in their traditionally strong spin-playing skills.

He expressed his desire to restore India’s reputation as the world’s best players against spin, stating, “I’m looking forward to helping the team get back to being the top players of spin.”

Since retiring from professional cricket in 2021, Ten Doeschate has gained valuable coaching experience with Kent, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Los Angeles Knight Riders. Reflecting on his role with the Indian team, he said, “Our contribution will be more about shifting mindsets and situational awareness rather than technical knowledge. It’s about offering new ideas and maintaining a positive mental approach.”

He acknowledged that the role is both “exciting” and “daunting,” particularly with ambitious goals for the team. He highlighted upcoming targets such as qualifying for the WTC final next June, with significant series against Australia and India’s preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup in 2026.

Ten Doeschate noted the challenge of transitioning between formats but is enthusiastic about the upcoming opportunities. “It’s an exciting time with key series ahead. It’s all the series you want to be involved in and all the challenges you want to face as a coach,” he concluded.