Inclusion of I-League players & other talking points from Igor Stimac's first probables list

Igor Stimac is expected to add a few more players from the ISL after the final concludes.

Head coach Igor Stimac has recently announced the first list of 26 probable players for India’s preparatory camp in Bhubaneswar. The squad doesn’t include players from Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan, who are set to compete in the ISL final tonight. They will join the rest of the squad for a four-week camp in Bhubaneswar starting from 10th May. Following the camp, the final squad will travel to Kolkata for a crucial match against Kuwait.

The four-week camp in Bhubaneshwar will provide Stimac with an opportunity to work closely with the players and fine-tune the tactics and strategies ahead of the crucial games. It will also allow him to assess the fitness levels of the players and make any necessary adjustments to the squad.

The Indian team is under immense pressure after their performances in 2024, and Igor Stimac is keen to turn things around in the upcoming games against Kuwait and the Asian Champions Qatar.

Here are the key talking points from the first list of the preliminary squad announced by the Croatian coach:

 I-League players called up for the first time

Igor Stimac has finally responded to years of backlash from fans and media by calling up I-League players for the first time. Four players, including two prolific goal-scorers Lalrinzuala Lalbianka and David Lalhlasanga, have been called up. Others include Inter Kashi’s Edmund Laldrinka and Real Kashmir’s defender Muhammad Hammad. 

It is worth noting that Igor Stimac had previously called upon Indian Arrows players like Amarjit Singh, Narender Gahlot and many others. However, it is the first time that players from rest of the clubs are called up for the preparatory camp.

Sandesh Jhingan’s injury

Sandesh Jhingan, who suffered an injury in the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year and was absent for the second half of the Indian Super League campaign, has been excluded from the list. This confirms that Jhingan will not be available for the upcoming games. Jhingan’s absence is a blow to the Indian team, as he is one of the most experienced defenders and a key player in the squad. However, it also provides an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their worth in his absence.

MBSG & MCFC players to be added after the final match

Players contracted with Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC, who are playing the ISL final, were not named in the initial list. However, they will join the squad later. This decision ensures that the players involved in the ISL final have adequate time to recover and join the national team camp without any issues. It also allows Stimac to assess the players’ fitness levels before making the final squad selection.

How many new faces will be in the final squad?

Igor Stimac has called up several uncapped players for the preparatory camp. However, it remains to be seen how many of these youngsters, including the I-League stars, make it to the final squad. The inclusion of new faces in the squad reflects Stimac’s willingness to give opportunities to young talent and build a strong team for the future. Whether this call-up is a response to media and fan pressure or a genuine fresh approach by Stimac, only time will tell.

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