Table of Contents
As anticipation builds for one of cricket’s most electrifying rivalries, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has acknowledged that the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Pakistan will not be straightforward. While the political uncertainty surrounding the fixture briefly cast a shadow over preparations, the Indian camp insists their focus never wavered.
India were prepared for the high-profile clash: Ryan ten Doeschate
Speaking in Delhi on Tuesday, just a day after Pakistan officially withdrew their boycott stance for the February 15 group-stage encounter, Ten Doeschate expressed relief that the contest will go ahead as scheduled. More importantly, he underlined that India had prepared all along with the assumption that the high-profile game would take place.
“First of all, it’s great that the game’s back on,” Ten Doeschate said while speaking to reporters ahead of India’s game against Namibia.
“We never really altered our preparation thinking it wouldn’t happen. We were confident something would be resolved, so from our side, there’s no significant shift in planning,” he added.
Also READ: Sourav Ganguly reacts to Pakistan’s u-turn on boycott stance against India at T20 World Cup 2026
Ten Doeschate on the challenge for India against Pakistan
The marquee clash will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo — a venue where Pakistan are already well settled. The Men in Green have been based in the Sri Lankan capital for nearly two weeks, playing their initial group matches at the Sinhalese Sports Club. That extended stay, according to Ten Doeschate, could provide Pakistan with a subtle but meaningful advantage.
“It’s going to be a challenge going to Colombo where Pakistan have been for the last two weeks. They’ve had time to adapt to the conditions, the weather, and the pitches. We understand that and respect it,” Ten Doeschate explained.
Pakistan have also enjoyed a four-day break between their second group fixture on February 10 and the India encounter on February 15 — a window that allows them to recover and fine-tune their strategy. India, on the other hand, face a far more compact schedule. They are set to play Namibia in Delhi on Thursday before flying to Colombo on February 13 — leaving minimal time to adjust to local conditions before the blockbuster showdown.
