T20 World Cup 2026 | It will be challenging in Colombo vs Pakistan: Ten Doeschate

New Delhi: The confirmation about the match against Pakistan may have come only late Monday, but India always prepared keeping in mind that the February 15 clash between the arch-rivals would eventually take place.  

After initially announcing the boycott of their Group A match against India, Pakistan did a familiar U-turn after the International Cricket Council gave them a face-saving reason to climb down from their position after a three-way talks between the governing body, Pakistan Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board in Karachi on Monday.     

"First of all, it's great that the game's back on. We kind of never changed our preparation (because) the game wasn't going to happen," said Indian team's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate here on Tuesday, ahead of the team's practice.

"We were always under the impression that something would transpire and we would play. So it's no big change the way we are going about things. And I guess we kind of got confirmation late yesterday and early this morning. It started coming through that the game was going to go ahead and we are delighted to have another chance to play against a quality side (Pakistan) in this first phase of the tournament." 

The former Netherlands' player said the team did its best to stay clear of the politics around the event, and keep their focus firmly on cricket.  

"We are also trying to stay clear of all the politics; I've mentioned before about the sentiments of the country and know the different politics between the two countries, but it's really important for us just to focus on the cricket side of things."

Ten Doeschate conceded that Pakistan, who have been in Sri Lanka for nearly a fortnight now, may have an advantage in terms of familiarity of conditions.  

"It's going to be a challenge going to Colombo where Pakistan have been there for the last two weeks and we are fully focused on just bringing our best game to that fixture next week."

Much before the T20 World Cup kicked off, India had been anointed as the overwhelming favourites to successfully defend the title they won in the Americas in 2024, and their form coming into the tournament suggested little else. But the USA, who had run them close in the previous edition as well, threatened to pull off a mother of all upsets when they reduced hosts to 6/77 and stunned the Mumbai crowd into silence. But skipper Suryakumar Yadav saved the day for India, and ten Doeschate agreed it was a wake up call for the team. 

"Look, I think being here for the New Zealand series kind of let us get used to the occasion," offered ten Doeschate when asked if there was pressure of defending the World Cup. "So it maybe hasn't been as impactful or as eye-opening, arriving at a World Cup. But we understand the responsibility we carry on our shoulders. We want to play a certain way of cricket, and now it does feel like a World Cup.

"I think that first outing in Mumbai was a nice shakeup, a nice wake up when you find yourself 77 for six, realise you're starting the World Cup defence. We certainly know we're in a World Cup now, and the support and the following has been great, and the guys understand the privilege, and like I said, the responsibility they carry by representing their country in a home World Cup."

Cut-off box - Bumrah ramps it up Washy joins team
India received a shot in the arm with their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah going full throttle at the "nets" here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday reports DHNS.    Bumrah had missed the opener in Mumbai against the USA after taking ill ahead of the match on Saturday. As India held a nearly three-hour practice session ahead of their second Group A match against Namibia to be played here on Thursday Bumrah bowled nearly 20 minutes with full intensity - a welcome development just before their grudge match against Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo.
"Booms (Bumrah) will bowl today. He's been what 10 days without bowling but he's feeling a lot better and moving a lot better. So we'll see how training goes today and tomorrow and then put the team together on Friday" said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
Bumrah's return to the playing XI will force the team management to take the tough call of dropping Mohammed Siraj from the playing XI.    
In another encouraging sign for India off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar joined the team and went through his bowling and batting rigours without the obvious discomfort. The Tamil Nadu player had sustained a groin strain and a rib muscle tear.
Meanwhile Abhishek Sharma who didn't field during India-USA game stayed put at the team hotel as he "still has got a few issues with his tummy."
"We are hopeful that he'll be available for the game in two days’ time" added ten Doeschate.