India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has made it clear that the Indian team is deliberately keeping its focus on the present, rather than looking too far ahead to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. With the three-match ODI series against New Zealand finely poised at 1-1 following India’s seven-wicket defeat in Rajkot, ten Doeschate believes the immediate priority must remain on delivering strong performances in the ongoing series.

Defending champions India are set to co-host the 20-team T20 World Cup alongside Sri Lanka, with the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7. While the global event is fast approaching, ten Doeschate stressed that overlooking the current ODI assignment would be a mistake, especially with the series decider set to be played in Indore on Sunday.

“There’s a real danger that you become so focused on the World Cup that you treat these games as something that just comes and goes,” RyanQ ten Doeschate said after the Rajkot loss. “If that happens, you don’t learn anything and you don’t put out your best performances. That’s not how we want to operate.”

ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri Hails KL Rahul For Bringing Stability With Majestic Century vs New Zealand

According to the former Netherlands international, each bilateral series plays a key role in building momentum, refining skills, and developing the right habits. He reiterated that while the excitement around the T20 World Cup is understandable, the Indian camp is making a conscious effort to stay grounded and focused on the task at hand.

“The World Cup is still a little way off. Right now, it’s about building from series to series and continuing to grow as a team,” Ryan ten Doeschate explained. “We’re trying to manage both situations—keeping an eye on the future while ensuring the intensity for this ODI series remains high.”

At the same time, the assistant coach acknowledged the importance of workload management, particularly for players expected to play a key role at the T20 World Cup. India have already been hit by injuries to World Cup-bound players such as Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar, forcing the team management to tread carefully.

“We’re very conscious of not overworking players,” Ryan ten Doeschate said. “Protecting those heading into a major tournament is important, but that can’t come at the cost of performance in the present.”

Despite the contrasting demands of ODIs and T20Is, ten Doeschate insisted there is no excuse for a lack of focus. With largely different personnel involved across formats, players must adapt quickly and apply themselves fully whenever called upon.

New Zealand’s comfortable win in Rajkot, achieved despite missing several first-choice players, once again raised questions about India’s recent struggles at home. Similar concerns emerged following the home Test series defeats against New Zealand and South Africa earlier in the season.

ALSO READ: England Players Face Visa Delay Ahead Of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 In India

“The Test series losses hurt a lot,” Ryan ten Doeschate admitted. “India has an incredible home record, and to lose two series like that is tough to accept. While ODI losses are easier to digest than Test defeats, we’re never okay with losing.”

He concluded by emphasising the long-term goal: restoring India’s dominance at home. “We want to get back to a stage where teams fear playing India in India. That’s the standard we’re working toward, while still managing the future of this team.”