By Admin 
Now the first official reaction has come from the Indian team on the political and board level drama regarding the India-Pakistan match in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. After reversing its decision to boycott Pakistan, Team India has made it clear that this entire incident has had no impact on the thinking and preparation of its players.
Team India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the Indian dressing room never prepared assuming that Pakistan would not play the match. According to him, the team had assumed from the beginning that this match would be held in Colombo on 15th February and the focus was kept accordingly.
Didn’t take the boycott talks seriously
Pakistan had earlier announced not to play the match against India and government instructions were cited behind this. This decision definitely created uncertainty for a few days, but the Indian team did not let it dominate their game. According to the coach, until Pakistan came on the field, India never thought that the match could be cancelled. Ryan ten Doeschate said that the players were clearly told that it does not matter what is happening outside, we have to do our job.
Distance from politics, focus only on sports
The Indian coaching staff also clarified that the team is deliberately staying away from political discussions. There may have been debate outside on the relations and environment of the two countries, but inside the dressing room, only strategy, fitness and performance were discussed. The coach admitted that emotions are always involved in the India-Pakistan match, but the team is trying to treat this match like a normal cricket match.
Pakistan takes advantage of the situation, India is ready for the challenge
The coach also admitted that Pakistan may have a better understanding of the conditions in Colombo, as it has been practicing there for the last two weeks. Despite this, Team India is not seeing this as an excuse.
India will play against Namibia on 12th February and after that the entire focus will be on Pakistan match. Now that the situation is clear, the focus for both the teams will be only cricket.