India’s standout stars from CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign

India clinched a historic bronze medal in their maiden CAFA Nations Cup appearance.

India pulled off a valiant comeback against Oman in the third-place match of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 to finish the tournament with a bronze medal. This is a monumental achievement for the Blue Tigers, considering they were invited to the tournament after Malaysia’s withdrawal.

The CAFA Nations Cup success has marked the beginning of a new era in Indian Football under Khalid Jamil. The newly appointed coach would be keen on building upon the positives from this campaign. In what was a mixed performance from the team, some of the players have stood out with their consistent outings. In this article, we will look at the top three Indian players from CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign:

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

They say, “comebacks are greater than setbacks.” Guess what? India’s impregnable ‘wall’ Gurpreet Singh Sandhu proved it right. The experienced goalkeeper was going through a rough patch in the last twelve months. His form dipped in both club and international football, leading to his omission from the squad.

This ouster reignited the fire and passion that Gurpreet is known for. He went back to the basics and worked hard during the off-season to bring back his rhythm. The goalkeeper trained with his former club Stabaek FC in Norway, which helped him sharpen his reflexes.

Upon the arrival of Khalid Jamil, it was evident that the newly appointed coach wanted the veteran custodian back in the squad. Gurpreet came back to the national team fold and justified his return in style. He was given the captain’s armband in the opening fixture of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, signaling the faith that Khalid has in him.

The Indian skipper made an instant impact with a fantastic outing against Tajikistan, where he also saved a penalty. He continued the momentum in the other fixtures, making great saves and marshalling the defense from the back.

Gurpreet stamped his mark on the tournament with a remarkable penalty save against Oman that secured India’s bronze medal and a third-place finish. The CAFA Nations Cup campaign would be remembered for one of the greatest individual comebacks in Indian Football.

Memories, thats all we will be left with. As a team we discussed if we are here to merely participate or are we going to push for something that we can all remember in our lives. I am thankful to the @IndianFootball and @CAFAssociation for making this happen giving us a shot.… pic.twitter.com/m3MvSzt93B

— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) September 9, 2025

Also Read: Three positives and two negatives from India’s CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign

Anwar Ali

Anwar Ali was among the consistent performers for the national team in the CAFA Nations Cup. It was a coming-of-age for the young centre-back who took the responsibility to keep the Indian defense intact against higher-ranked sides.

In the first couple of matches, Anwar’s pairing with Sandesh Jhingan worked wonders for India. The Blue Tigers edged Tajikistan courtesy of an incredible defensive performance. The duo almost did the job against Iran as well, but the last ten minutes proved to be too much.

After Sandesh Jhingan’s exit from the tournament due to a broken jaw, Anwar had to pair up with Rahul Bheke. The East Bengal star looked comfortable with Bheke as well and played his role to perfection. Anwar has cemented his place in the centre-back role and would be a key figure in Khalid Jamil’s plans.

Nikhil Prabhu

The Indian team entered the tournament with some key players unavailable due to club commitments. The likes of Apuia and Anirudh Thapa, who are regular starters in the midfield, did not join the team. Their absence was a big miss for India, but Nikhil Prabhu made the most of this opportunity.

The Punjab FC skipper showed immense composure in the centre of the park to not let the opposition overshadow India. Especially against formidable sides like Oman and Iran, his contribution was crucial to keep India alive in the game.

Nikhil Prabhu’s ability to soak in the pressure will prove to be a crucial asset for Khalid Jamil. The former Jamshedpur FC manager believes in keeping his team compact, and players like Prabhu are instrumental for his playing style. Going ahead, we can see the 24-year-old becoming a regular part of the squad.

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