Recalling the best moments of Ryan ten Doeschate's international career
According to reports, Ryan ten Doeschate is likely to be joining the Indian team as an assistant along with Abhishek Nayar to head coach Gautam Gambhir. Their tenure starts with the Sri Lanka series, beginning on July 27.
The former Dutch all-rounder was part of 33 ODIs, scoring 1,541 runs with five centuries and nine fifties, while also taking 55 wickets. Interestingly, ten Doeschate holds the highest-ever average of 67 in the 50-over format. Meanwhile, he garnered 533 runs and took 13 wickets in 24 T20Is.
During his peak career days, the 44-year-old won the ICC Associate and Affiliate Player of the Year awards on multiple occasions. As a result, he secured a contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and played for them from 2011 to 2015. During his time with the franchise, he built a great rapport with skipper Gambhir, as they secured two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
Fast forward to November 2022, he was appointed as KKR's fielding coach. The 2024 season saw the franchise lift the title for the third time, with Gambhir as a mentor and Nayar as a batting coach. Hence, the former Indian batter decided to keep the same combination during his India tenure due to the trio's bonding and success in IPL 2024.
On that note, let's take a look at the best moments of Ryan ten Doeschate's international career.
#3 Ryan ten Doeschate played a key role to help Netherlands qualify for T20 World Cup 2021
Ryan ten Doeschate returned to international cricket after seven years in 2018. Then, he was named in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 squad.
The competition saw the right-handed batter emerge as the team's second-highest run-scorer with 233 runs in nine innings at an average of 46.60 and a strike rate of 136.25. His top knock of 59 off 40 against Namibia is also his best T20I innings.
Ten Doeschate's performances helped the side to reach the final and qualify for 2021 T20 World Cup. In the final against Papua New Guinea, the reliable batter remained unbeaten on 34 off 23 to help the side secure a title victory.
#2 All-round contribution in Dutch's upset win over England in 2009 T20 World Cup
The inaugural game of the 2009 T20 World Cup saw the Netherlands cause a major upset with a thrilling victory over England at Lord's. The hosts were off to an impressive start with Ravi Bopara (46) and Luke Wright (71). However, Ryan ten Doeschate dismissed them both, and finished with figures of 2/35, as England ended on 162/5.
In response, the Netherlands lost a couple of wickets in the powerplay overs, but stayed on course with Tom de Grooth (49) and Peter Borren (30). Then, ten Doeschate came in clutch with contribution of 22* off 17 to seal the chase on the last ball of the game.
#1 First-ever Dutch player to score a century against a full-member side in 2011 World Cup
In the 2011 World Cup, Ryan ten Doeschate became the first player from the Nethlerlands to hit a international century against an ICC full-member side. It all happened on February 22, as the Dutch were up against the challenge of England in Nagpur.
Batting first, the Netherlands added 58 runs for the loss of two wickets in the 12th over, before ten Doeschate arrived. The right-handed batter was composed with his approach to find odd boundaries against spinner Graeme Swann and steer the team on the right path.
In the end, ten Doeschate provided a perfect flourish to slam 119 off 110, with nine fours and three sixes. As a result, the Netherlands posted a formidable total of 292.
Then, skipper Andrew Strauss (88) was the top-scorer as England chased down the score under 49 overs. Ryan ten Doeschate impressed with the ball as well by picking two wickets.