Ten Doeschate “aware of the sentiments and feelings” vs Pakistan, saying India will be ‘as professional and focused’ as they can.
Ten Doeschate: India will be ‘as professional and focused’ as they can against Pakistan.
India is undoubtedly considerate of people’s feelings, but they haven’t prepared any differently for Pakistan than they would for any other game. India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, made this statement prior to Sunday’s Asia Cup match in Dubai.
“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,” ten Doeschate explained. “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.
“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.
“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.”
Ten Doeschate shared coach Gautam Gambhir’s message to the players while outlining the process of attempting to concentrate on the work. Additionally, he stated that the team administration did not need to shield the players from outside noise.
“The waiting period of knowing whether this [Asia Cup] was going to happen was the most frustrating part,” he said. “Once we knew we were going to be here, and playing, we have tried to get on with the business of it. This game, particularly, we haven’t prepared differently, like I said, but we are obviously aware of the sentiments and strong feelings.
“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.
“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.”