Ryan ten Dochate is determined to get India’s batsmen back on track against spin

“The mindset of India has always been very ambitious to do well abroad,” ten Dochate said. “There has been a lot of focus on doing well in Australia and England [so] that we let the play be thrown, which was already the strength of the Indian team, is a little backwards. That’s one thing I’m looking forward to helping with, getting to that place where Indians are the best rebounders in the world.”

In his new role with India, he said the focus will be more on preparation rather than being too technical. “I don’t think that much of what we will bring is technical knowledge to these boys,” he said. “It’s about concepts, situational awareness, how we think they can control certain phases of the game.

“[It’s about] throwing ideas out there, clarifying and maintaining mental space very well. That will be really important.”

Ten Dochate said that he is wary of the challenges of taking over a successful team, which will win the World Cup, but he also expressed happiness about the future.

“It’s exciting and scary at the same time,” he said. “As for what we are looking forward to, we are ready to enter the WTC finals [next June is a goal]. There is a good chance with 10 Tests left, five in India [over the next couple of months] then we go to Australia [for five more at the end of 2024] it will be good.

“In the mean time there is the Champions Trophy [in February 2025]. With only three ODIs left in the warm-up phase, it will be a real challenge to switch between formats and get the team ready for that, which is something they will be eager to overcome.

“Then it follows [WTC] round, trip to England [summer of 2025] it will be great and get ready for the team [2026] T20 World Cup. In terms of time, it is very difficult to enter a team that has just returned with a team [2024 T20] The World Cup, but in terms of what is yet to happen in the next 18 months, he is speechless as a coach. It’s every series you want to be involved in and every challenge you want to face.”