Ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate joined the team in Pallekele on Thursday. A viral social media picture showed the former Netherlands batter wearing Team India’s training gear. Ten Doeschate is one of two assistant coaches, alongside Abhishek Nayar, in the new support staff under head coach Gautam Gambhir. This marks the first time the Indian cricket setup has featured two assistant coaches. Last month, Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach concluded, and the contracts of batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey were not renewed.

Only fielding coach T Dilip was retained from the previous regime. Meanwhile, Gambhir’s support staff does not include designated batting or bowling coaches, as the former KKR mentor has opted for two assistant coaches instead.

On Thursday, Team India participated in a training session, with ten Doeschate actively involved.

Earlier this week, Gautam Gambhir confirmed the names of the two assistant coaches approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Although the full coaching staff will be finalized only after the Sri Lanka tour, Gambhir is pleased with the board’s acceptance of most of his requests as head coach of the Indian team. During a media briefing, Gambhir revealed that his former Kolkata Knight Riders teammates, Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar, have been appointed as assistant coaches.