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The Board of Control for Cricket in India, BCCI, has basically confirmed some big changes in the Indian cricket team support staff lineup, right before the Test series coming up against Sri Lanka. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip, will not be there anymore after their contracts are up, like they just ended.

BCCI is said to announce the replacements in the next few days, as India get ready for that two-Test series in Sri Lanka, which starts on August 15. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said it pretty clearly, that both coaches finished their contracts and the board will not be carrying them forward.

Devajit Saikia said:

“Ryan and Dilip’s contracts have ended and we are not extending them, “Dilip was already on a one-year extension, which ended on June 8, and Ryan’s ended on June 10. In another two-three days, we will name their replacements.”

Ryan ten Doeschate joined India’s support staff when Gautam Gambhir became head coach in 2024. During that stretch, he mostly handled the batting group along with the batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, but also contributed during fielding sessions, and generally was seen as someone who kept a good rapport with the players.

Still, when India’s batting showed mixed form in different conditions, pressure started building, and people began questioning how effective the coaching team’s work had been.

It is understood that Ten Doeschate didn’t push for another extension, and he’s now expected to head back toward the Indian Premier League. He could rejoin Kolkata Knight Riders, a place where he had success as a player and later as part of the coaching setup. He was also part of KKR’s support staff during the franchise title win in 2024, under mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At the same time, bowling coach Morne Morkel is expected to remain, with reports suggesting the BCCI has renewed his contract too. The reason being, his experience might matter a lot, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup coming up in southern Africa.

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T Dilip’s situation had been floating around for a while, because India’s fielding across formats hasn’t really matched expectations. He was initially removed once Rahul Dravid’s coaching term ended, but the BCCI then gave him a one-year extension before Gambhir’s team took over.

Now that extension is over, the board seems to be going with a different option. Former Assam cricketer Subhadeep Ghosh is expected to become India’s next fielding coach. He has worked with the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, and has coached India A, India Under-19, and also the India women’s team.

Besides Gambhir, the current support group includes Sitanshu Kotak, Morne Morkel, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule, and analyst Hari Prasad Mohan.

India are likely to depart for Sri Lanka on August 4. Before the first Test in Galleon August 15, the team may hold a short training camp and, could also play a three-day warm-up game versus Sri Lanka A in Colombo.

The Sri Lanka series will be pretty crucial for India’s World Test Championship campaign, so the changes in the coaching staff are set to be among the most discussed topics before the tour begins.