India assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate found himself at the center of controversy after commenting on Rohit Sharma’s below-par performances in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. Following two low-scoring innings of 26 and 24 runs respectively, Ten Doeschate attributed the dip in form to Rohit being “a little short on cricket” rather than any technical flaw in his batting.

Ten Doeschate, who represented the Netherlands during his international career, insisted that Rohit’s struggles were not due to any change in his technique. Speaking at the post-match press conference after the second ODI, he said, “It’s just a combination of the wickets being slightly difficult and maybe just being a little bit short on cricket leading into the series.”

However, former India batter Manoj Tiwary strongly criticized Ten Doeschate’s remarks. Tiwary argued that comparing himself to Rohit Sharma is unfair, stating, “If you look at his performance in international cricket, it is not even 5% of what Rohit has achieved in his career, not just as a batter but also as a captain.”

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Tiwary also highlighted the demoralizing impact such comments can have on players, especially when made by a member of the team management. “He is a part of the management, and telling this about your player is demoralising. He has to reflect on this,” Tiwary added, emphasizing the need for sensitivity in public statements about team members.

The debate comes amid discussions over Rohit Sharma’s recent form and the BCCI’s decision to relieve him of ODI captaincy. Tiwary has previously questioned the rationale behind the decision, pointing to Rohit’s long-standing contributions, including his role in India’s Champions Trophy victory, and suggested that respect for a player’s legacy should guide public commentary from team officials.

With the ODI series against New Zealand still underway, the comments by Ten Doeschate and the backlash from former players like Tiwary have sparked a wider conversation on the responsibilities of coaching staff when discussing high-profile players in the media.

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