Trying to stay clear of all the politics: Ryan ten Doeschate welcomes Ind-Pak clash confirmation

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate welcomed the confirmation of the India–Pakistan clash in Colombo on Sunday, stressing that the team’s priority was firmly on cricket and not the political noise surrounding the fixture.

The uncertainty around the high-profile T20 World Cup encounter ended on Monday night after Pakistan confirmed it would take the field at the R Premadasa Stadium, bringing weeks of speculation over a possible boycott to a close.

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Doubts had hovered over the marquee game since Pakistan announced it would stay away in solidarity with Bangladesh, who pulled out of the tournament following pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s eviction from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad by the BCCI. Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India ultimately resulted in them forfeiting their place in the competition.

Pakistan initially held firm on its protest, but after negotiations involving officials from Sri Lanka, the UAE, Bangladesh and the International Cricket Council (ICC), it agreed to play the fixture.

Speaking to reporters in the national capital, where the Indian team is set to face Namibia on Thursday, ten Doeschate said India’s preparations had remained unchanged despite the uncertainty.

“First of all, it’s great that the game is back on. We kind of never changed our preparation. We were under the impression that something would transpire and happen. It’s no big change for us – the way we are going about the things.

“We got the confirmation about it late yesterday and early morning, it became to come through that the game will go ahead. We are delighted to have another chance at playing a quality side in this stage of the tournament,” he said.

The former Netherlands all-rounder underlined that the Indian camp was deliberately steering clear of political considerations, placing the emphasis squarely on the cricketing challenge ahead, particularly the conditions in Colombo, where Pakistan have been based for the last fortnight.

“Like I said, we kind of accepted that as a status quo and until we got there and they didn’t show up we were assuming we were going to play.

“We’re also trying to stay clear of all the politics I’ve mentioned before about the sentiments of the country and the different politics between the two countries. But I think it’s really important for us just to focus on the cricket side of things, it’s going to be a challenge going to Colombo where Pakistan have been for the last two weeks and we are fully focused on just bringing our best game to that fixture next week.”

Ten Doeschate also said he was unaware of any directive barring families from travelling with the team during the World Cup.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it. I’m actually trying to see, I’ve seen a few people around. Look the BCCI has policies, I don’t know if those dates have kicked in with respect to this competition yet.

“We’ve been on the road for a couple of weeks now with the New Zealand series before. But that hasn’t been an issue as far as I’m concerned and that’s the first I’m hearing of it. Sorry I can’t give any more clarity on that,” he concluded.

Abhishek down with stomach issue

Ten Doeschate also provided a fitness update on Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah and Abhishek Sharma, saying Sundar and Bumrah are set to return to training while the explosive opener remains sidelined.

India head into the game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on the back of a tense 29-run win over the USA at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, where captain Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 84 helped the defending champions recover from a precarious position. “Yes, Washi joined the team yesterday. He will train today. Abhi still has a few issues with his tummy. We hope that they will be available for the game in two days’ time.

“Booms will bowl today as well. He’s been ten days without bowling, but he’s feeling and moving a lot better. We will see how he goes in training today and tomorrow before getting on the field on Thursday,” ten Doeschate told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday.

Washington rejoined the squad after nearly a month away from competitive cricket. He last featured in the ODI series against New Zealand, where he suffered a side strain while bowling in the opening match in Vadodara in January. The all-rounder subsequently underwent rehabilitation and resumed training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before being cleared to link up with the team for the World Cup.

Bumrah, meanwhile, missed the opening match against the USA due to a viral fever, while Abhishek was absent during the second innings in Mumbai because of an upset stomach. In Bumrah’s absence, Mohammed Siraj stepped in after arriving as a replacement for the injured Harshit Rana and claimed a three-wicket haul that swung the game back in India’s favour.