How could India U23 football team line up for Thailand clash?

The India U23 football team will face Thailand U23 on November 15.

The India U23 football team is set to return to action when they face the Thailand U23 team in two international friendly matches during the November 2025 international break.

Naushad Moosa’s team will look to regain some much-needed match sharpness and also get back to winning ways on the international scene.

Moosa has selected a pretty strong squad for the upcoming matches, selecting many of the names that featured in the recent matches against Indonesia U23 during the October 2025 international break.

Naushad Moosa has announced the final 23-member squad for the Indian U23 football team's friendly against Thailand on November 15!!#IndianFootball #BlueColts pic.twitter.com/fpbElVjnfl

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) November 13, 2025

The gaffer will want to ensure the Blue Colts can finish the year on a high note by beating Thailand on their own turf and maintaining their momentum. As a result, the coach will want to ensure that a strong Indian team faces Thailand.

Here we take a look at Khel Now’s predicted India U23 line-up for the clash against Thailand U23.

India U23 predicted lineup vs Thailand (Formation 4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Mohanraj K

The Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper has recently broken into the India U-23 squad after impressing for the Marina Machans’ youth team. Mohanraj recently made his debut for the Blue Colts against Indonesia U23, putting in a strong performance and making some crucial saves.

He should get back into the no. 1 role for Moosa’s side against Thailand U23, because of how reliable he’s become in the position. The goalkeeper will look to solidify his role in the squad by making crucial saves and also showcasing his passing ability with impressive distribution.

Right-Back: Ronney Wilson Kharbudon

Ronney Wilson has gotten the rub of senior football at FC Goa this season after impressing Manolo Marquez since joining the Gaurs in the summer. The 22-year-old was particularly good in the 2-1 loss to Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League Two clash in Goa, putting in a sturdy late cameo. He actually did a decent job in the 4-0 loss in Saudi Arabia, holding his own against the Saudi giants’ threat.

After his string of eye-catching performances for Goa, Ronney has gotten the call-up to the U23 side. He will look to be proactive in the backline, reading Thailand moves properly and coming up with crucial challenges to ruin their attacks. Wilson needs to be at his commanding best to help India U23 withstand pressure and help them get a big win.

Centre-Back: Sumit Sharma

Sumit Sharma has impressed many scouts with his performances in the reserves league for Classic FA, showcasing admirable maturity and intelligence with his defending. The Kerala Blasters centre-back will look to further solidify his reputation by frustrating the Thailand forwards, making crucial clearances, and strongly winning duels.

Sharma knows that some commanding performances for Moosa’s side can not only solidify his role in the squad but also result in a potential future call-up to the senior national team, which is why he’ll be raring to produce a sturdy performance.

Centre-Back: Raj Basfore

Since joining Chennaiyin FC in the 2025 summer window, Raj Basfore appears to have found his rhythm under Clifford Miranda’s coaching. The 22-year-old defender featured in all three of Chennaiyin FC’s matches in the Super Cup, and actually pulled off a solid shift in the backline. He frustrated the Mariners’ frontline in the 2-0 loss to Mohun Bagan, putting in some key challenges and looking sharp.

Basfore’s heroics have earned him a call-up to the India U23 side, and he seems primed to make his debut for Moosa’s side. Basfore has to be sharp with his decision-making at the back, clever with his positioning and strong in winning duels to frustrate the Thailand forwards and keep raising his reputation in Indian football.

Left-Back: Harsh Palande

Harsh Palande has been fitted into this left-back role by Naushad Moosa, despite him naturally operating as a left-winger. The Bengaluru FC youngster has featured in India U23’s last five matches, even getting an assist in the recent 1-1 draw against Indonesia U23.

He’ll look to solidify his stronghold in that left-back role in the upcoming matches. Palande needs to be defensively strong to neutralise the wingers’ threat, while also making troublesome runs going forward to help create more chances for the Blue Colts.

Defensive-Midfield: Lalrinliana Hnamte

Lalrinliana Hnamte is actually one of the more experienced players in the India U23 set-up, having already made six appearances for them. Hnamte had a decent outing in the Super Cup for Chennaiyin FC, being one of their better performers in a dismal campaign.

He now looks to solidify his form for the Blue Colts, with the midfielder needing to be energetic and assertive in the midfield. He will look to use his clever passing and ball possession skills to help his team control the midfield, enabling them to compete against Thailand.

Centre-Midfield: Ayush Chhetri

Ayush Chhetri remains a key figure for the India U23 side, despite getting call-ups to the India national team over the last year. Chhetri has produced some really eye-catching performances for Moosa’s side, making great use of his ball-winning and passing abilities.

He’ll look to continue his good form for India U23 by being a hard-working and tenacious figure in the midfield. Chhetri will have to help regain possession in crucial areas and also help create chances with his clever forward passes to outwit the Thailand players.

Centre-Midfield: Vibin Mohanan

Vibin Mohanan has been one of the best players for the India U23 team since making his debut for them way back in 2023. He has scored three goals and provided an assist in seven appearances for the Blue Colts and looks to continue his good form.

The Kerala Blasters midfielder will look to be smart with his link-up play and try to create chances with his innovative final passes. He’ll also look to get to the end of more chances and finish them off ruthlessly to add an edge to the Indian attacking threat.

Right-Wing: Korou Singh

Korou Singh is coming off an impressive outing in the Super Cup group stages, as he scored in their win over Sporting Club Delhi. The exciting winger scored the goal for India in their recent draw against Indonesia U23 and will look to continue his good form for Moosa’s style.

Korou looks to be taking full advantage of the freedom given to him in the India U23 team and will look to use his impressive pace, dribbling ability to soar past defenders. However, he needs to nail his final product to help create big chances and potentially enhance India U23’s goal threat.

Left-Wing: Mohammad Aimen

Mohammad Aimen has been a real joy to watch for India U23 because of his entertaining playing style. Aimen’s fearlessness in constantly taking on defenders and using his speedy movement to cause trouble has made him a breath of fresh air for the Blue Colts.

The 22-year-old has three goal contributions (two goals, one assist) in nine appearances for India U23 so far, and he aims to enhance that going forward. He’ll look to use his speedy movement to help create big chances through the wide areas and also sneak into more scorable positions to help torment the Thailand U23 backline.

Striker: Alan Saji

Alan Saji was one of Sporting Club Delhi’s best players in the 2025 Super Cup campaign, scoring an eye-catching goal in their 2-2 draw against Rajasthan United. The 19-year-old forward was only able to make two appearances as a substitute, but his proactiveness and ability to get into the danger areas impressed many.

Saji ended up getting a call-up to the India U23 squad and now has a chance to prove his quality at the international level. Alan will look to use his quick movement and clever off-the-ball runs to confuse the Thailand U23 defenders and open up space for himself. He will, however, need to be particularly ruthless in converting opportunities to help India get positive results and strengthen his reputation in Indian football.

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