TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: The gust of boycott wind around the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash has made its way into the Indian dressing room. TimesofIndia.com can confirm that the players had a long conversation with head coach Gautam Gambhir and other support staff, with questions swirling far beyond the boundary rope. The players have been told to stay professional and take the match just like any other. But can they? It is a young team, with most of the cricketers keeping tabs on social media the moment they get their phones back after an intensive net session. They are professionals, but they too were shaken during the border skirmish between the two countries in May, and now with the calls for boycott in the backdrop. The tension can be sensed, as ahead of a big match like this, neither the head coach, captain nor any player came for the pre-match press conference. On the eve of the match, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate was asked if players would be carrying the sentiments of a wounded public. He replied: “Yes, I think they will. “It is a very sensitive issue. I have no doubt the players share the compassion and feelings of the vast majority of the Indian public. 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. But obviously, you know what the government’s stance is. Now the team, particularly the players, have to put their sentiments and emotions behind,” he added. The Dutch coach later admitted that the team did go into a huddle on Saturday and addressed the situation in the team meeting. “We’re aware of people’s feelings. At the same time, we will put it behind us and the guys will get a chance to play for their country again tomorrow. They will be as professional and focused as they can be given the circumstances,” he said. Ryan ten Doeschate discovered how India vs Pakistan begins long before the first ball. His face often slipped into a void of expression, his silences dragging longer than comfort allowed, each word measured as if it carried the weight of a landmine. In real time, he was discovering that India-Pakistan cricket is never merely a game; it is a battlefield disguised as sport. “I guess the other side of the argument is that you separate sport from politics, and people have got different opinions on that. Hopefully the way we play can represent how we feel about the country,” he said. “I understand the position and, like I explained, the sentiment, but we are following the direction of what the BCCI and the Indian government have decided is right for the country at the moment.” This will be ten Doeschate’s second India-Pakistan match. It was in Dubai that he first tasted the rivalry during the Champions Trophy earlier this year. When coaxed about whether there was anything different in preparation, he said: “I will be honest, no. I was expecting a lot more needle during the Champions Trophy game, and I didn’t really feel that either. The preparation or focus hasn’t been any different to any other important game. “Pakistan has also started to come to terms with how they want to play T20 cricket. So it’s going to be a slightly different challenge compared to the last 24 months. We want to focus on what we are doing and how we want to play.” Ten Doeschate had survived the press conference, and before signing off, revealed coach Gautam Gambhir’s message to his team ahead of the clash. “We obviously are aware of the sentiments and the strong feelings. And Gauti’s message has just been very professional about not worrying about things that are not in our control. “Just trying to be emotionless when approaching the cricket side of things. The guys are professional enough now. I’m sure individuals have different levels of feeling on the spectrum of where they feel the whole situation is. But the messaging has been to just focus on the cricket and try to just focus on the one game tomorrow.” Whoever wins the match on Sunday, one thing is for sure: the India-Pakistan rivalry has been reignited. Yes, it has lost some flair; the cricket is trying to serve as a stage, but the play is stretching far beyond it.
