Can India field two all-rounders in Chennai? Details here
What's the story
India's assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, has expressed his excitement over the country's growing pool of all-rounders. The development comes as part of their preparation for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. In the ongoing ODI series against Afghanistan, India have included left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey and seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana in the squad.
Team dynamics
'It's really good'
Nitish Kumar Reddy missed the second ODI due to a sore thigh but is expected to return for the third match in Chennai. With India already winning the series, ten Doeschate hinted at the possibility of fielding an extra all-rounder instead of a specialist batter. "It's really good," he said on the eve of the third ODI, referring to India's all-rounder pool.
Player roles
Ten Doeschate praises Pandya's unique role
Ten Doeschate also emphasized the unique role Hardik Pandya plays when fit, owing to his batting prowess and finishing skills. He said, "That sort of role... it is difficult to find a finisher who can give you overs as well." "I would still say the majority of those guys are bowling allrounders. When Hardik's fit, he obviously brings a different element because he's such a strong batter, such a strong finisher. That sort of role... it is difficult to find a finisher who can give you overs as well," he said during a press conference on Friday.
Reddy
Reddy seen as a natural successor or back-up to Pandya
The assistant coach further praised Reddy for his contributions over the last 18 months, calling him a potential successor or back-up to Pandya in the team. "So those guys are all tracking really nicely. Like I said with Nitish, for the last 18 months, he's shown glimpses of how important he can be to this team, particularly in this format." "I feel his body's getting stronger and stronger and I sort of feel he is the natural successor or back-up to Hardik," ten Doeschate added.
Player performance
Kuldeep Yadav's form not a concern for ten Doeschate
Ten Doeschate also addressed concerns over left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav's recent form. Despite a poor IPL season in terms of average and economy rate, the assistant coach was not worried about his performance. "Look, the wickets aren't always there and I thought he bowled really well the other night," 10 Doeschate said while adding that they prefer playing a wrist spinner or mystery spinner in their lineup.
Coaching changes
'Spinning department needs to work on tactical aspects'
Ten Doeschate also spoke about the need for spinners, including Kuldeep, to work on tactical aspects and game planning with Sairaj Bahutule, India's new spin-bowling coach. He said, "I think Kuldeep is traveling nicely, so that means a lot to him." The assistant coach also acknowledged the competition for places in the XI among a new crop of spinners and emphasized their aim to get more out of their main wrist spinner.