“A lot of coaches are scared”: Ryan ten Doeschate reveals how he approached Virat Kohli over batting struggles

Ryan ten Doeschate on Approaching Virat Kohli Over His Repeated Dismissals in Australia

Former India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has opened up about a delicate conversation with Virat Kohli during India’s tour of Australia, when the star batter was repeatedly dismissed while attempting drives outside the off stump. The coach said he took time to consider how to raise the concern without undermining Kohli’s confidence—and praised the batter for responding with openness rather than defensiveness.

Kohli’s struggles became a major talking point during the Test series, as similar dismissals prompted questions from supporters and cricket analysts about his shot selection and India’s coaching response. Speaking on the talkSPORT Cricket podcast, ten Doeschate described how coaches must judge when to offer advice, how to deliver it, and whether an intervention could help or distract a player.

Why Coaches Can Hesitate to Challenge Established Players

Ten Doeschate said coaches may worry that approaching a senior player will be seen as interference or an attempt to justify their role. At the same time, staying silent when a recurring issue is visible can mean missing an opportunity to support the player. The challenge, he explained, is to offer a useful perspective without creating confusion.

“A lot of coaches are afraid to make interventions,” he said, noting that advice can be interpreted as unnecessary commentary if it is not delivered carefully. For ten Doeschate, the goal is not to impose a coach’s preferred technique, but to begin a conversation that helps the player examine what is happening.

That balance can be especially delicate with a player of Kohli’s experience and stature. A high-profile batter has established methods, strong instincts and a detailed understanding of his own game. Any suggestion therefore needs to respect the player’s expertise while still addressing a pattern that may be affecting performance.

A Conversation, Not a One-Way Technical Instruction

Ten Doeschate recalled that Kohli was repeatedly getting out while driving away from his body. The similarity between the dismissals stood out to the coach, but he did not approach the batter with a demand to abandon the shot. Instead, he wanted to understand why Kohli was choosing to play it in that way.

According to ten Doeschate, Kohli explained the reasoning behind his approach. That turned the exchange into a discussion about the batter’s intentions and possible adjustments, rather than a simple instruction to change his technique. The coach said a player may have sound reasons for playing a particular shot, even if the outcome has recently been disappointing.

“You don’t have to agree,” ten Doeschate explained. A coach can listen to the player’s thinking and then explore whether small changes might preserve the player’s preferred approach while reducing the risk. In Kohli’s case, the conversation allowed them to discuss how he wanted to play and what could be adjusted around that plan.

The distinction matters in elite cricket, where a technical change made without the batter’s conviction can create hesitation. A player who starts thinking too consciously about a movement may lose the freedom and timing that make the shot effective. A productive coaching conversation, by contrast, can help the player make an informed choice without feeling that their natural game is being dismissed.

Why Timing and Delivery Matter in a Test Match

Ten Doeschate also highlighted the importance of choosing the right moment. Raising a technical concern just before a batter faces a dangerous fast bowler could add unnecessary thoughts at a high-pressure point. He gave the example of a player preparing to face Mitchell Starc: a last-minute reminder about a technical flaw might shift attention away from reading the bowler and watching the ball.

For that reason, ten Doeschate waited until a rain break during the fourth Test to speak with Kohli. The pause offered a less confrontational setting and avoided introducing a new concern immediately before the batter returned to the middle. The coach said he had thought carefully about how to frame the message, choosing not to approach Kohli with a blunt criticism of his cover drive.

That preparation reflects a broader principle in coaching: the same feedback can have very different effects depending on its timing and tone. Advice offered privately during a natural break may invite reflection; the same words delivered abruptly in the heat of a match could feel like criticism or create doubt.

Kohli’s Response Earned the Coach’s Praise

Ten Doeschate described Kohli as someone who does not require constant coaching, making the batter’s willingness to engage particularly notable. He said Kohli listened, explained his perspective and helped turn the exchange into what he considered a constructive discussion.

The conversation did not produce the results India hoped for during the closing stages of the series. Ten Doeschate acknowledged that the repeated dismissals remained a concern, but said the experience reinforced the value of delivering feedback thoughtfully. In his view, the outcome of one discussion does not determine whether the intervention was worthwhile; the quality of the communication matters too.

His account also offers a glimpse into the changing relationship between players and coaches in modern international cricket. Senior players often have considerable influence over their preparation and methods, while coaches must find ways to contribute without appearing to dictate. Ten Doeschate suggested that this shift can make staff reluctant to raise difficult subjects, even when an honest conversation may benefit the player.

What the Story Reveals About Cricket Coaching

The episode is relevant beyond Kohli’s specific batting challenge. In professional sport, recurring mistakes can be easy to identify from the outside but difficult to address from within a team. A coach must distinguish between a temporary run of poor results and a pattern worth discussing, then consider whether the player is mentally ready to hear the feedback.

There is no guaranteed prediction that a technical conversation will immediately change a player’s results. Batting outcomes depend on conditions, opposition tactics, decision-making and execution. But a respectful exchange can help a player understand the options available and decide whether an adjustment fits their game. Ten Doeschate’s account suggests that the most effective coaching is often collaborative rather than prescriptive.

After leaving India’s coaching setup, ten Doeschate returned to the Knight Riders organisation, taking on the role of Head of Cricket Strategy for Knight Riders Sports. His departure from international cricket was influenced by a desire to spend more time with his family. His reflections on Kohli, however, underline the lasting importance of one of a coach’s most demanding skills: knowing when to speak, how to speak, and how to make sure the player remains part of the conversation.