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Ryan ten Doeschate insists India’s build-up to Sunday’s Asia Cup meeting with Pakistan in Dubai has been no different to any other fixture, although he accepts the match carries extra weight for supporters on both sides.
“It’s a very sensitive issue and I’ve got no doubt the players share the compassion and feeling of the vast majority of the Indian public,” India’s assistant coach said during a quiet media session on Friday. “The Asia Cup was in limbo for a long period of time and we were just waiting. We didn’t think we were going to be coming at one stage.”
Those delays, combined with the recent security concerns in Pahalgam, meant the squad spent weeks training without knowing whether the tournament would proceed. Ten Doeschate admitted the uncertainty wore thin. “The waiting period of knowing whether this [Asia Cup] was going to happen was the most frustrating part,” he conceded. “Once we knew we were going to be here, and playing, we have tried to get on with the business of it.”
He stressed that no special tactical programme had been drawn up solely for Pakistan. “This game, particularly, we haven’t prepared differently, like I said, but we are obviously aware of the sentiments and strong feelings.”
Coach Gautam Gambhir, himself no stranger to charged Indo-Pak encounters, has kept the group’s messaging straightforward. “Gauti’s message has been sort of very professional about not worrying about things that are not in our control and being emotionless when approaching the cricket side of things. The guys are professional enough, I am sure.”
Balancing emotion and execution
Pakistan arrive with a young attack and a renewed emphasis on pace. India’s own top order, led by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, has spent two nights poring over footage but, publicly at least, the talk remains more about mindset than match-ups.
“You know what the Indian government’s stance is and now the team and particularly the players, you have to put those sentiments and the emotions behind. That’s something we addressed in the team meeting today,” ten Doeschate explained. “We’re aware of people’s feelings, at the same time we’ve got to go out, and the guys get a chance to play for their country, and they’ll be as professional and focused as they can be given the circumstances.”
Handling the noise
With television countdowns already running and social-media feeds in overdrive, one obvious question was whether management had tried to shield players from the noise. Ten Doeschate felt that would be counter-productive.
“Individuals have different levels of feeling on the spectrum of where they feel the whole situation [geopolitical tensions] is, but the messaging has been to focus on the cricket, and try to focus on the one game tomorrow,” he said.
And on separating sport and politics, his view was blunt. “The other side of the argument is you separate sport and politics, and people have got different opinions on that,” he noted. “Hopefully the way we play can represent how players feel about the country. I understand the position and, like I explained, the sentiment. We are following the direction of what the BCCI and Indian government have decided is right for the country at the moment.”
Selection questions quietly bubbling
India must still finalise their XI. Shreyas Iyer has batted pain-free in the nets but remains short of matches, while Jasprit Bumrah is expected to take the new ball after a careful workload build-up. The broader strategy, though, stays unchanged.
“If you look at our processes, they’re very similar to any other game,” the assistant coach said, almost apologising for the lack of drama. “We’ve run our scouting, debated options, and tried to keep it all on the cricket. I’ll be honest, that’s probably the best way to keep everyone balanced.”
Perspective remains everything
From a distance Sunday will be sold as a contest of raw pace v experienced batting, or a Rohit v Shaheen box-office duel. Inside the Indian dressing-room, it is apparently just another opportunity to bank two group points.
“The guys get to play for their country and that should be motivation enough,” ten Doeschate concluded, gathering his notes. It was a low-key line, yet one delivered with clear intent: play the ball, not the occasion.
