The match will be held in the backdrop of heightened tensions between two nations.
India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the ongoing Asia Cup on Sunday (September 14) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The match will be played in the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack and the retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
Despite the calls for boycott, the BCCI agreed to play against Pakistan in the continental showpiece. The Indian board’s stand to face the arch-rivals aligns with the government's new policy.
As per the Union Sports Ministry's notification issued last month, India can play Pakistan in "international and multilateral events", but can't engage in "bilateral sports events in each other's country".
On the eve of the marquee fixture, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed a press conference, where he said that the team is aware of people's sentiments and the management has spoken about keeping emotions in check.
“It's obviously a very sensitive issue, and I've got no doubt that the players share the compassion and the feeling of the vast majority of the Indian public. Look, 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,” ten Doeschate told reporters in Dubai.
“But obviously, you know what the Indian government's stance is on it, and now the team and particularly the players, you have to put those sentiments and emotions behind you. It's actually something we addressed in the team meeting today. So we're aware of people's feelings, but at the same time, we've got to go out and the guys get a chance to play for their country again tomorrow and they'll be as professional and as focused as they can be given the circumstances,” he added.
The assistant coach also stated that there has been no special preparation for the Pakistan clash, and it has been business as usual in terms of build-up for the game.
“Certainly, the preparation this week or the focus hasn't been any different to the preparation of any other important game. Pakistan have sort of started to come to terms with how they want to play T20 cricket, so it's going to be a slightly different challenge from maybe the last 24 months,” he said.
“But we want to focus on what we're doing and how we want to play is the most important thing for us, given the potential of playing Pakistan a couple of times in this tournament, and obviously, in the next six months, as well, there's going to be a World Cup. Again, it goes back to what you said about every single game being played in the same manner,” he added.
During a media interaction earlier this year, India head coach Gautam Gambhir had said that he is not in favour of having the matches against Pakistan as long as terror attacks continue.
This time around, Gambhir has given a simple message to his team -- the focus should be firmly on the job at hand and nothing else.
“We knew when this was going to happen was probably the most frustrating part. Once we knew we were going to be here and playing, we tried to get on with the business of it. This game, particularly, we haven't prepared differently like I said earlier. We obviously are aware of sentiments and strong feelings. Gauti's message has just been sort of very professional about not worrying about things that are not in our control,” ten Doeschate said.
“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 focus on the one game tomorrow,” he remarked.
The Dutchman was also asked whether his players would make a comment on what happened earlier this year. However, he remained mum, saying that the team is just following the instructions of the BCCI and the Indian government.
“I guess the other side of the argument is that you separate sports and politics. Hopefully, the way we play can represent the way players feel about the country. We are following the direction of the BCCI and the Indian government have decided about what is right for the country at the moment,” he stated.