Khalid Jamil announces probables for AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh

India will face Bangladesh on November 18.

Khalid Jamil, the Indian head coach, has announced his 23-member probable squad for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh. The Blue Tigers will lock horns with Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 18. After crashing out of the race to the AFC Asian Cup, India will look to focus on making space for new talents to take the centre stage.

Khalid Jamil has made interesting calls, some indicating a forward-looking approach and some making us wonder what exactly his vision is. Until the next Asian Cup in 2027, the Blue Tigers have no competition to aim at, providing Jamil with an opportunity to shape a new Indian team.

Jamil aims for redemption in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers with new faces

The most striking aspect of the squad announcement is the absence of Mohun Bagan players and Sunil Chhetri. Apparently, Jamil has tried to look past these names for now to include some of the young faces who have been making waves with their performances.

The likes of Bikash Yumnam, Pramveer, Hrithik Tiwari, Brison Fernandes and Mohammed Sanan have been called up to the senior national team camp.

It will be worth observing how many of these young guns receive game time against Bangladesh and how Jamil fields his team in what will be the first challenge for India in a period that can prove to be transformative if the right decisions are made.

The camp will start in Bengaluru on November 6, and the team will travel to Dhaka on November 15 for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Bangladesh.

Mohammed Sanan, who was earlier included in the U23 team, will travel with the senior team instead. Among promising inclusions, there is one exclusion that has raised eyebrows. Muhammed Suhail, who has been in fine form for the Indian U23 team, has not been called up.

Also Read: Indian football team drop three places in latest FIFA rankings after poor run of form

List of probables for the camp for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hrithik Tiwari, Sahil.

Defenders: Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bikash Yumnam, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais, Pramveer, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan.

Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Brison Fernandes, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam.

Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mohammed Sanan, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh.

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