In-form players not picked in India's probable squad for October 2024 break

These players have made a mark in the Indian Super League this season but failed to get included in the Blue Tigers’ probable list.

Manolo Marquez recently announced the 26-member squad for India as they will travel to Vietnam for a Tri-Nation friendly tournament in October. While the list features notable returnees and debutants, the absence of some names will surely raise a few eyebrows.

Save one, all of these names were potentially to receive their first national call-up. Lalthathanga Khawlhring, also known as Puitea, received a call-up earlier, but like the others on the list, is yet to make his debut for the Blue Tigers. What makes their exclusion more questionable is their stellar run of form in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25.

Nevertheless, let us take a look at the most in-form players not called up for the Tri-Nation friendlies in Vietnam, and hope they do enough to impress Manolo Marquez ahead of the next FIFA International Window.

Isak Vanlalruatfela

Isak has enjoyed a good start to the season, making a mark in a team filled with proven attacking stars. The attacker has played a part in all three of Odisha FC’s games so far and has been direct with his dribbling and chance creation. 

So far, the right winger has notched four key passes, one of which led to Diego Mauricio’s goal in Odisha’s 2-1 win over Jamshedpur FC. Isak has wreaked havoc down the flank with his clever feints and lightning-quick feet, ripping defenders to shreds with his movement. Manolo Marquez might have benefitted from his directness while playing for India, as the winger is not shy to take an effort on target either.

Vinith Venkatesh 

Manolo Marquez’s most notable exclusion has to be Bengaluru FC’s breakout star Vinith Venkatesh. The Blues’ academy graduate has taken the league by storm, helping his side register a perfect record so far.

It was his lone strike that put East Bengal’s threat to bed and gave Bengaluru FC the initial boost. At only 19 years of age, the youth sensation has also registered an assist in the ISL 2024-25. His nimble-footed dribbling, offensive positioning, and immaculate technique are things to watch out for and will hopefully earn him his first Indian national team cap soon.   

ALSO READ: New faces called up in India’s probable squad for Vietnam Tri-Nation friendly tournament

Imran Khan 

Imran Khan is the eldest player to feature on this list and it is baffling as to how the 29-year-old has still not earned a national cap. Imran has revved it up with Jamshedpur FC this season, playing as a traditional winger or wide midfielder. 

Khalid Jamil has devised a clever tactic to utilize the right midfielder’s strengths, as Imran has often been spotted linking up with players and dribbling past opponents to get near the opposition box and whip in inch-perfect balls for the likes of Jordan Murray or relay it to the nimble-footed Javi Hernandez in space.

In the process, Imran has also picked up an assist and has shown promise to excel this season. India’s lack of service and accuracy in the final third was glaring in the Intercontinental Cup and Imran would have been a probable solution to the same. 

Nihal Sudeesh 

Nihal Sudeesh has turned out to be one of Punjab FC’s gems in ISL 2024-25. The winger has benefitted from Panagiotis Dilmperis’ fearless philosophy and approach enabling him to be brave during one-on-one situations and directly threaten the goal.

Supported by equally talented foreigners like Ezequiel Vidal, Luka Majcen, Mushaga Bakenga, and Filip Mrljak, Nihal has already scored once and demonstrated his potential. India’s dearth of natural goalscorers might have been met somewhat with Nihal’s inclusion but like Nikhil Prabhu, he’s also 23 and has plenty left to achieve. 

Puitea

While Puitea is the only player on this list to have been called up for the national squad, he never got the chance to make his dream debut. Despite Odisha FC’s slow start to the season, he has given the Juggernauts a solid base in midfield with his sweeping tackles and disruptive tenacity to help Sergio Lobera’s side regain possession.

Although not a box-to-box midfielder, he has been performing the role of a classic defensive screen/ destroyer hybrid to perfection and could have given India a different rotation option in the middle of the park. 

ALSO READ: Top five players making comeback in India’s probable squad for Vietnam International friendlies

Jithin MS

Jithin has been in scintillating form since the Durand Cup 2024, as he helped NorthEast United to the trophy with a whopping four goals and three assists.

The rapid winger has since carried his form into the league and terrified opponents with his stupendous speed. His form so far makes it all the more puzzling as to why he didn’t make it to India’s 26-man squad.

Juan Pedro Benali has set up the Highlanders to be lethal from counters and Jithin has demonstrated the same on countless occasions in the current ISL campaign already. He has already notched an assist from a similar situation and his style of play makes the Highlanders’ Brigade watch on with bated breath whenever he gets on the ball. 

Nikhil Prabhu 

Nikhil Prabhu has been one of the unsung heroes behind Punjab FC’s revelation this season. The centre-back turned midfielder has been penetrative with his passes as a deep-lying playmaker (three key passes in three games) and has also been equally brilliant at snuffing out fires near his box (16 duels won in three games). 

Prabhu’s vision and reading of the game make him a unique asset to the exciting Shers’ side and he is sure to reach a milestone with his current rate of growth. Needless to say, India would have benefitted from his versatile profile but at only 23 years of age, time is on his side.

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