Former Cricketer Priyank Panchal Blasts Assistant Coach Ryan ten Doeschate
Former Indian domestic cricketer Priyank Panchal has launched a strong attack against assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. Panchal called out Ten Doeschate's recent comments about captain Rohit Sharma and young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. He questioned whether foreign coaches truly understand how to handle relationships within the Indian cricket setup.
Ten Doeschate's Controversial Remarks
After India's defeat to New Zealand, Ten Doeschate spoke about Rohit Sharma's form. He pointed out that the India captain "had not been as fluent as he has been" on what he described as a tough wicket. This comment came despite Rohit scoring 26 and 24 runs in the two ODIs so far. Rohit had a strong Vijay Hazare Trophy outing for Mumbai in December with scores of 155* and 0.
The assistant coach also took aim at Nitish Kumar Reddy. Reddy scored 20 runs and bowled two overs for 13 runs in the Rajkot game. Ten Doeschate's assessment was blunt. He said Nitish gets opportunities but "often ended up not doing a heck of a lot."
Backlash from Fans and Players
Those words triggered immediate backlash online. Fans called the remarks disrespectful towards Rohit Sharma, a senior figure in Indian cricket. Between the Australia tour in October-November and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rohit had already piled up five fifty-plus scores including two centuries.
There was similar anger over the criticism of Nitish Kumar Reddy. The 22-year-old is still finding his feet at international level. At the time of the comments, he had played only three ODIs. He scored 47 runs across three innings and remained wicketless.
Panchal's Strong Response on Social Media
Priyank Panchal did not hold back in his response. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote a strongly worded post. "Terrible comments by Ten Doeschate on Rohit and Nitish. There's a reason foreign coaches don't succeed in India. The dexterity you require to navigate through relationships here is lacking in them. Especially if they do not have anything notable to show in their CV. #INDvNZ."
Broader Debate About Coaching in Indian Cricket
Panchal's message struck a chord because it went beyond one post-match comment. It tapped into a familiar debate about communication and cultural understanding within cricket. The discussion centers on how criticism should be delivered in the Indian dressing room.
For Panchal, the issue was not just about cricket analysis. It was about tone, timing, and respect. He believes that when those lines are crossed, the fallout extends far beyond just one press interaction. The incident has reignited conversations about whether foreign coaches truly grasp the nuances of Indian cricket culture.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in how coaching staff interact with players. It raises questions about appropriate ways to provide feedback, especially regarding senior players and developing talents. The Indian cricket community continues to debate these sensitive matters as the team moves forward.
