Why Sunil Chhetri is not in Indian Squad for King's Cup?

The skipper will be missing the trip to Thailand due to familial reasons.

Sunil Chhetri did not make the final list of players that will represent the Indian men’s team at the 2023 King’s Cup in Thailand. India is set to take part in the competition that begins on 7 September 2023 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is one of the international tournaments that will play a preparatory part for India ahead of the 2024 AFC Asian Cup in January.

The Blue Tigers are set to face a tough opponent in Iraq in the semi-final of the tournament whereas Thailand (113) will be up against Lebanon (100) in the other fixture. India (98) is ranked lower than Iraq (70) which is also the best ranked team according to FIFA’s Rankings at the 2023 King’s Cup. 

Head coach of the Indian men’s senior team, Igor Stimac, announced a 23-man squad that will travel to Thailand in order to participate in the tournament. Interestingly, Indian legend Sunil Chhetri did not make the cut of the probables to represent India in Thailand. 

The reason for Sunil Chhetri’s exclusion is not related to fitness or any injury. Instead, the skipper of the national team is being left out as the birth of his first child is near the start of the 2023 King’s Cup. In order to allow him to be with his wife Sonam Bhattacharya at a crucial stage of their life as a married couple, Igor Stimac did not pick the Bengaluru FC forward and his request to be excused was honoured.

The Indian team finished third in their previous King’s Cup appearances in 2019. Sunil Chhetri’s absence will be felt but it is more important for the all-time leading Indian goalscorer to be with his family for the birth of their child.

India’s 23-member squad for the 2023 King’s Cup:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh.

Defenders: Asish Rai, Nikhil Poojary, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Lalchungnunga, Akash Mishra, Subhasish Bose.

Midfielders: Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Brandon Fernandes, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Rohit Kumar, Ashique Kuruniyan, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Rahul KP

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