Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has opened up about strategies ahead of the deciding final match of the India vs South Africa ODI series. From adjusting to difficult conditions to chances of winning the toss and Washington Sundar’s role in the ODI team, he highlighted almost every aspect of the game.
India lost the match in Raipur despite setting a target of 359 runs, as South Africa chased a record target on foreign soil for the first time. After the defeat, several flaws were seen in India’s mentality as well as gameplay and Ryan ten Doeschate has made his stance clear ahead of the decider in Visakhapatnam.
Ryan ten Doeschate justifies India’s poor run rate in the death overs in Raipur
Indian assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate attended the pre-match press conference for India and gave clarification on his strategies in the previous game, which India ultimately lost despite scoring many runs.
As some felt that India might slow down towards the end of the innings, especially after the dismissal of Virat Kohli, Ten Doeschate explains that it is an element of responsibility, and the players have to adapt to the conditions.
“There’s an element of responsibility that comes into it. I think we did quite well. There was a bit of a slump because of the hard wicket. We took the dew factor into account. The dew factor is huge here,” said Ryan ten Doeschate.
There comes an element of responsibility into it. I think we have performed quite well. There was a bit of slow pace due to the hard wicket.
We took into account the dew factor. The dew factor is huge here: Ryan ten Doeschate.
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 5 December 2025
“We started in the first game, we thought 320 was par. Then it was 350-360. Yes, you have to score the maximum, but you have to find ways in difficult situations,” he said. He claimed that India scored the maximum possible runs keeping in mind all aspects of the game.
I don’t think so. We started in the first game, we thought 320 was par. Then it was 350-360. Yes, you have to maximize but you also have to find ways in difficult situations – Ten Doeschate.
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 5 December 2025
“We’re winning one in a million.” Ten Doeschate reflects India’s luck in the toss
India may have won and lost matches; Last year was full of ups and downs for the Indian team. But one thing that has remained constant for the men in blue is their luck in the coin toss.
Be it an ICC event or the Asia Cup, be it a Test or an ODI, be it Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul, be it in England, India or Australia, the Men in Blue have been losing the toss.
Speaking about the same, Ryan ten Doeschate joked, “We’re one in a million to win. Jokes aside, it’s all about the preparation. Ultimately, we’ll win the toss.”
We’re winning one in a million. Jokes aside, it’s all about preparation. After all, we’ll win the toss – Ten Doeschate.
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 5 December 2025
Indian coach reveals the real reason behind Washington Sundar’s limited usage Raipur
India did not utilize Washington Sundar with the ball, especially after handing him 3 overs in the game as the first spin bowling option in Raipur. The Indian coach has revealed that considering the playing conditions and track, additional spin bowling cannot be used in the 20 overs.
“In those conditions, you can’t bowl 20 overs of spin. Washington is still learning, he’s confident. He’s had a very good 12 months. He’s been working on some things, like batting with five fielders outside the circle,” said Ryan ten Doeschate.
However, this clearly poses a threat to India’s strategy, because if there is no need for many spinners to bowl on such surfaces, then why is India not considering a regular batsman like Rishabh Pant in the XI instead of all-rounder Washington Sundar, who has failed to be promising in the finishing role?
In those conditions, you cannot bowl 20 overs of spin. Washington is still learning, he’s convinced. He had a great 12 months. He is working on some things like keeping five fielders outside the circle while batting – Ryan ten Doeschate.
– RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) 5 December 2025
Also read: Virat Kohli insists on partnering Rohit Sharma as opening batsman in 2027 World Cup
