List of Indian players who have been dropped for Panama, Brazil and Uruguay friendlies
Khalid Jamil name 26-players squad for the September-October friendlies.
The Indian senior men’s football team are set for a challenging international window, with the Blue Tigers preparing to face Panama, Brazil and Uruguay in three high-profile friendly matches.
Head coach Khalid Jamil has announced a 26-member squad for the upcoming fixtures as India look to gain valuable experience against some of the strongest opposition they will face this year.
India will take on Panama in Bengaluru, Brazil and Uruguay in Kolkata, giving Jamil’s side a rare opportunity to test themselves against two of South America’s most decorated footballing nations.
With the level of opposition significantly higher than what India regularly encounter, the squad selection was always going to attract plenty of attention.
Head coach Khalid Jamil has made several changes to his previous squad, with a number of familiar names missing from the latest selection. Some of these players have been regulars for the national team in recent years, while others featured in the head coach’s plans earlier.
The omissions are particularly interesting given the quality of the opposition India are set to face. Khalid Jamil has opted to bring in a number of new and younger options, suggesting that the upcoming friendlies could also be an opportunity to assess different players within the national-team setup.
Here is the full list of seven players from Jamil’s previous squad who have not been included in the latest 26-players India squad for the Panama, Brazil and Uruguay friendlies.
Sandesh Jhingan
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The most notable omission from Khalid Jamil’s squad is arguably Sandesh Jhingan. The experienced centre-back has been one of India’s most dependable defenders for years and brings leadership and composure to the backline.
Jhingan’s experience is particularly valuable in big international fixtures, and his understanding with Anwar Ali has also been an important part of India’s defence.
The two have developed a strong partnership at centre-back, combining Jhingan’s physical presence and experience with Anwar’s composure and ability on the ball.
Defensively, Jhingan remains one of India’s strongest options. His ability to deal with physical forwards, win aerial duels and organise those around him gives the team an added layer of strong defence
Rahul Bheke
Rahul Bheke is another experienced defender who has missed out on Khalid Jamil’s latest squad. A strong presence at the back, Bheke is particularly reliable in aerial duels, defensive challenges and clearances, while his ability to win headers makes him a valuable option against physically strong opposition.
His versatility is another major strength. Primarily a centre-back, Bheke can also operate at right-back, giving the coach an additional option when making tactical changes during a game.
Bheke’s experience also makes him a natural leader within the dressing room. Had Jhingan been part of the squad, Bheke would still have been one of the players capable of taking on that leadership responsibility and providing composure to a relatively young defensive group.
With India preparing to face Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, his defensive solidity, aerial ability and versatility could have been useful.
Nikhil Poojary
Nikhil Poojary’s omission is another interesting selection call, particularly given his experience and versatility at right-back. While Bijoy Varghese and Valpuia can provide options in the position, Poojary has considerably more international experience and can operate as an attacking right wing-back, giving India an additional outlet in possession.
Nikhil’s ability to overlap, underlap and provide width could have been valuable against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.
He also has established on-field combinations with Ryan Williams and Lallianzuala Chhangte, with his overlapping runs capable of creating space for the wingers to move inside and attack the half-spaces.
Defensively, Poojary’s familiarity with Akash Mishra could also have helped India’s full-back unit maintain better positional coordination. Their understanding of when to step up, hold the defensive line and cover spaces could have provided greater balance across the back four.
Jeakson Singh
Jeakson Singh is another notable omission from Khalid Jamil’s latest squad. The midfielder has been a regular part of India’s setup in recent years and was also included in Jamil’s previous preliminary squad.
His absence is particularly interesting ahead of matches against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, where India’s midfield will be tested against physically and technically strong opposition.
Jeakson’s ability to provide defensive cover and break up play has made him an important option for the national team. However, Jamil has opted for other midfield options this time around, leaving Jeakson out of the 26-man squad.
Vishal Kaith
One of the surprising omissions is Vishal Kaith, especially after his impressive Durand Cup campaign with Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
Kaith was crucial during the Mariners’ run to the final, most notably in the semi-final against NorthEast United FC, where he produced two penalty saves in the shootout to send his side through. He also kept a clean sheet in the Kolkata Derby against East Bengal earlier in the competition.
Despite his strong performances and ability to deliver under pressure, Kaith has not been included in Khalid Jamil’s 26-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay.
With Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Albino Gomes, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Som Kumar selected instead, Kaith’s omission is certainly an intriguing call from the India head coach.
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Lallianzuala Chhangte
Lallianzuala Chhangte’s omission is another surprising call from Khalid Jamil, considering the qualities he brings to India’s attack. The winger is one of the fastest players in Indian football and has the pace to trouble defenders, particularly when India get an opportunity to break forward.
Chhangte is not simply a player who relies on his speed either. He has developed into a winger who can create chances for his teammates while also finding the back of the net himself. His ability to stay wide, take on defenders and then cut inside gives India another dimension in the final third.
His pace could have been particularly useful against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay, where India are likely to have opportunities in transition.
Against teams that may dominate possession, having a player capable of quickly turning defence into attack can be a valuable weapon.
Liston Colaco
Liston Colaco is another attacking player who has surprisingly missed out on Khalid Jamil’s latest squad. The winger brings a combination of sharp pace, close control and dribbling ability, making him capable of taking on defenders and creating openings from the wide areas.
Liston Colaco can be particularly dangerous when given space to run at his marker. His ability to carry the ball forward and beat defenders one-on-one could have offered India another way of progressing the ball and creating chances in the final third.
When will India play Panama, Brazil and Uruguay?
India will play Panama on 26th September in Bengaluru. Following that they will play Brazil and Uruguay on 3rd & 6th October respectively at the VYBK Stadium, Kolkata.
Who is the head coach of Indian men’s senior football team?
Khalid Jamil is the head coach of Indian men’s senior football team.
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