T20 World Cup 2026: Ryan ten Doeschate opens up on the IND vs PAK game
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has shared his satisfaction after Pakistan confirmed that they will participate in the much-anticipated clash against India in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan had earlier indicated that they would not take part in the fixture, creating uncertainty around one of the tournament’s marquee encounters. However, following discussions involving officials from the International Cricket Council and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the Pakistan Cricket Board reconsidered its position and announced that the team would play the match as originally scheduled.
T20 World Cup 2026: Ryan ten Doeschate speaks about the India vs Pakistan match
Reacting to the development, ten Doeschate revealed that the Indian camp had remained calm and optimistic throughout the episode. He explained that the team always believed the situation would be resolved through dialogue and that negotiations were likely to restore the original schedule of the high-profile Group A contest in the 20-team competition. The assistant coach added that facing a quality side like Pakistan in the group stage would be a valuable test for India. According to him, competing against strong opposition early in the tournament can sharpen focus, expose areas for improvement, and better prepare the team for the high-pressure knockout stages ahead.
"First of all, it's great that the game's back on. We kind of never changed our preparation; we knew that the game wasn't going to happen. We were always under the impression that something would transpire and we would play. So it's no big change the way we are going about things. And I guess we kind of got confirmation sort of late yesterday and early this morning. It started coming through that the game was going to go ahead, and we are delighted to have another chance to play against the quality side in this first phase of the tournament," stated India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
The Indian camp is also mindful of the advantage Pakistan may carry into the IND vs PAK contest, having spent a couple of weeks acclimatising to conditions in Colombo ahead of the high-voltage clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday, February 15. With familiarity of the pitch, weather, and overall environment often playing a crucial role in T20 cricket, the team management understands that preparation and adaptability will be key factors in determining the outcome.
Speaking on behalf of the squad, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate acknowledged that India cannot afford to be complacent in a fixture of such magnitude. He stressed that Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates will need to deliver their absolute best performance to stay firmly on course for qualification to the Super Eights. According to him, matches against quality opposition demand sharp execution in all departments—batting, bowling, and fielding. Ten Doeschate emphasized that maintaining intensity and composure under pressure will be vital, as even minor lapses can prove costly in tightly contested World Cup encounters.
"We kind of accepted that as a status quo (to play), and until we got there and they didn't show up, we were assuming we were going to play. We also, we're trying to stay clear of all the politics I've mentioned before about the sentiments of the country and know the different politics between the two countries, but 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 has been for the last two weeks, and we are fully focused on just bringing our best game to that fixture next week," Doeschate added.
For those unaware of India’s schedule, the team is set to face Namibia before locking horns with Pakistan in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, February 12. The Namibia fixture presents an opportunity for India to fine-tune combinations and build further momentum ahead of the high-profile showdown. There is, however, a slight concern surrounding opener Abhishek Sharma. The young batter has reportedly been hospitalised due to a stomach infection, casting doubt over his availability for the Namibia game. As a precautionary measure, he may be rested to ensure a full recovery. Despite this setback, team management remains optimistic about his return. Abhishek is expected to regain fitness in time for the crucial clash in Colombo, where his aggressive approach at the top of the order could play a significant role in India’s plans.
