Indian fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate has said that the Indian cricketers have been considerate towards the sentiments of their people, but has also been clear that they have only been playing the Asia Cup 2025 as per instructions from the BCCI after seeking government permissions.
India have to continuously face the burden of bearing the dissatisfaction built in the heads of several Indian fans. After the Pahalgam attack, which marked the death of several innocent people, India waged a war on Pakistan, and the political strain increased between the two nations.
India’s coaching unit member, Ten Doeschate, has been part of Gautam Gambhir‘s association and has finally opened his mouth on the Asia Cup participation.
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Ryan Ten Doeschate spills Dressing room thoughts of Indian players
Amid immense criticism, the Indian cricket team and the BCCI gave a green signal to the Indian team to contest in the Asia Cup 2025. The fielding coach has revealed that the Indian players are well aware of the people’s emotions surrounding the heinous crime.
“It is a very sensitive issue. Players feel the emotions and sentiments of the public. This is what we have discussed in the team meetings. Players are here to play cricket. We are following government instructions,” the former Netherlands cricketer told reporters Saturday.
India, despite all odds, are scheduled to play against Pakistan in the second match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. This game would be played on Sunday, the 14th of September, at the Dubai International Stadium.
Gautam Gambhir has asked his players to focus on Cricket
Earlier, the Indian government had given permission to the Indian team to feature in multinational tournaments, while keeping bilaterals aside. This, in turn, led the determined coach Gautam Gambhir to ask the players to focus on the game.
Ten Doeschate said that head coach Gautam Gambhir has asked players to keep their focus on cricket and avoid things they cannot control.
“Our thing is you separate sports and politics. I understand the sentiment, but we are following directive of BCCI and government. Knowing this will happen was the most frustrating part. Gauti’s (head coach Gautam Gambhir) message is to not focus on things not in your control. Message is to focus on cricket,” he said.
India’s remaining two group-stage matches in the Asia Cup 2025
India will play the remainder of their group-stage games in the Asia Cup against archrivals Pakistan in the Dubai International Stadium, while they will advance to Abu Dhabi to play against Oman for the final group-stage game.
The game against Pakistan is highly anticipated. If they go on to win any one of the remaining two matches, India, with the soaring high run rate, would qualify for the Super-4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025.
India remains the favourites to win the competition, though they will face some resistance from rivals like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, who are the teams showing some amount of convincing performance alongside the cricketers in blue.
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