“You Separate Sports And Politics”: India Coaches Address Boycott Calls Before IND vs PAK

India’s support staff have broken their silence on the growing calls to boycott the Asia Cup clash against Pakistan, insisting the squad will follow government and board directives and keep attention on the game. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said the players “share the compassion and feeling” of the public but have been instructed to stay professional and focused, echoing head coach Gautam Gambhir’s internal message in the build-up. “Our thing is, you separate sports and politics,” ten Doeschate said, adding that the team is “going by what the government and BCCI told us.”

What the coaches said

Ten Doeschate called the situation “very sensitive,” acknowledging the boycott sentiment after the Pahalgam terror attack while underlining that the group is “here to play cricket” under the rules set by national authorities. He noted the Asia Cup itself felt “in limbo” for a time, and that once permission came, the players prepared to compete and mute outside noise. The staff’s communication has been consistent: control the controllables—skills, roles, and execution—and leave policy to the board and government.

Interestingly, Gambhir has previously taken a tougher personal stance about playing Pakistan in the aftermath of terror incidents, but the coaches stressed that the dressing room operates within the current policy: no bilateral series, but participation in multilateral ACC and ICC events as scheduled. The team’s message remains to be “as professional and focused” as possible once the fixture is confirmed.

Asia Cup context and schedule

The T20 Asia Cup 2025 is being staged in the UAE, with India in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. India’s marquee group game versus Pakistan is set for Sunday, September 14, under lights in Dubai, with toss at 7:30 PM IST and first ball at 8:00 PM IST. If both sides advance, potential rematches loom in the Super Four on September 21 and in the final on September 28, also in Dubai. India opened by beating UAE and conclude their group against Oman in Abu Dhabi.

Policy vs protest: where the line is drawn

The practical line the players follow is straightforward: participate in multilateral events, abstain from bilateral cricket. That approach allows India to honor competition obligations while reflecting national policy choices. Reports also suggest the board will keep a low public profile around the game, a signal that recognizes domestic sentiment without contravening tournament commitments. For the squad, the operational impact is unchanged—plan for conditions, manage phases, and execute roles.

Inside the dressing-room brief

• Mentally tune out external noise and aim to be “emotionless” in execution, even in a high-emotion week.

• Stick to role clarity: structured powerplay batting, spin-led control in the middle overs, and death-overs discipline.

• Prepare for volatility: the coaches have pointed out T20’s swingy nature, making fielding sharpness and matchup management decisive.

The bigger picture

The clash doubles as a barometer for India’s post-transition template without Rohit and Virat in T20Is. With Suryakumar Yadav leading, India have leaned into depth and flexibility—multiple finishers, a seam bridge through all-rounders, and spinners who control 7–15. Pakistan are in a reset, introducing fresh combinations but carrying enough bite to turn a night. The rivalry is charged, but the squad’s stance is deliberately uncharged: respect the context, follow the policy, and let the cricket speak.