In the wake of the terror attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, calls for severing all sporting ties with Pakistan have been widespread across India. However, India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, emphasized the team’s primary focus on the upcoming Asia Cup clash against Pakistan, reiterating head coach Gautam Gambhir’s message to “focus on cricket.”
Sensitive Issue, But Cricket Comes First
With political tensions rising, ten Doeschate acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation, particularly as the calls for a boycott have gained traction among Indian fans. He made it clear that despite the widespread sentiment, the team’s job is to play cricket and follow the directives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government.
“It’s a very sensitive issue. Players feel the emotions and sentiments of the public, and this has been discussed in our team meetings. Our role is to play cricket, and we are following the instructions from the government and BCCI,” ten Doeschate said.
Separating Sports from Politics
Ten Doeschate stressed the importance of separating sports from politics, stating, “We understand the sentiment, but we are strictly following the directives of the BCCI and the government. Our focus remains solely on playing cricket.” Despite the boycott sentiments, he reinforced the team’s commitment to professionalism and focusing on the match ahead.
Why Ten Doeschate Took Media Questions
In an interesting turn, the Indian team management decided to send the junior-most member of the coaching staff, Ryan ten Doeschate, for media interactions. This was likely a strategic move to avoid questions about Gambhir’s earlier stance on engaging with Pakistan, following the Pahalgam attack.
Gambhir’s Hardline Stance
Gautam Gambhir, known for his firm views on this issue, had previously made a strong statement in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. During an event in New Delhi, he said, “My personal answer is absolutely no. Until cross-border terrorism stops, there should be no interaction with Pakistan—no cricket match, no Bollywood movie, no engagement. The lives of Indian soldiers and citizens are far more important than any cricket match.”
While Gambhir’s stance remains unchanged, the team’s approach now focuses on the game, with ten Doeschate affirming that the players are committed to doing their job on the field, irrespective of the political climate.
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