Players Indian football team should look beyond to revive football fortunes

India are out of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

India faced a shocking defeat against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday in Dhaka. This is only the second time the Blue Tigers have gone down against their neighbours. Both teams were already knocked out of the qualifiers before the match.

However, this match was not a big one as Bangladesh football fans were eagerly waiting to host India. The Bengal Tigers roared their way to a victory in front of a packed National Stadium in Dhaka, piling on the misery for India.

With India hitting a new low, it is time to take tough calls before it is too late. The fans have been clamouring for a change in personnel as they see young and more technically astute players emerging through the Indian U23 set-up.

In this article, we look at some of the names that India should consider to make this change.

Rahul Bheke

The 34-year-old defender Rahul Bheke is well past his prime and is consistently struggling to perform in national colours. He has started in the right back position in multiple games, but simply lacks the tenacity to live up to the rigours of such a dynamic position.

Other young players have shown that they have the potential to join the national team. Ricky Meetei has excelled for the Indian U23 team under Naushad Moosa and is a good shout to replace Rahul Bheke.

Ashique Kuruniyan

The time is running out for the Bengaluru FC winger. Ashique Kuruniyan was touted as the next ‘big thing’ in Indian football almost a decade ago, but his underwhelming performances have pushed him to the edge. For all the skills he possesses, his final product is nowhere to be seen.

The Blue Tigers require wingers who are audacious and have the belief to take on the opposition defenders. Not the skillset, but the conversion is also essential for forwards to keep their place in the team. To Ashique’s dismay, he is edged by other young wingers in this aspect.

Also Read: India slide to 142nd place in FIFA World Rankings after disastrous Bangladesh loss

Lallianzuala Chhangte

Two seasons ago, Lallianzuala Chhangte was the most consistent Indian goal-scorer, but the drastic dip in his form is worrisome. The winger has shown moments of brilliance recently, but that is not enough to overlook the players coming from the U23 setup.

Besides the numbers, Chhangte also appears jaded, lacking the belief that is a non-negotiable for a goal scorer. The Mumbai City FC player has age on his side, and there is always a path of resurgence open in sports, but for now, Khalid Jamil must look to replenish India’s wings with youth.

Rahim Ali

Another player who has been substandard this year for the Blue Tigers. Many believed Rahim Ali could be the answer to India’s goalscoring woes, but that is unfortunately not the reality. After Sunil Chhetri’s departure, the Blue Tigers do not have a clinical striker in the ranks.

For the foreseeable future, Rahim Ali does not appear to be the potential replacement for Sunil Chhetri. The 25-year-old has fallen short of expectations on multiple parameters. His physicality works in his favour, but the skillset as a striker requires honing.

Subhasish Bose

Subhasish Bose is one of those experienced campaigners whom India should look beyond. Defenders often enter their prime in the early 30s, but the 30-year-old Bose’s prime might not be enough to make India a competitive side.

His defensive game could still be a good option for him, but other attributes like speed, strength, positioning and ball carrying ability are not enough to secure his place in the team. With the advent of modern full-backs, Bose is not a good fit up front.

Should India prepare for life after Sandesh and Gurpreet?

Talking about his success at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson famously remarked, “The cycle of a successful team lasts maybe four years, and then some change is needed. So we tried to visualise the team three or four years ahead and make decisions accordingly.”

Going by Sir Alex’s key to success, India should look to replace veterans like Sandesh Jhingan and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. They have been the backbone of this Indian team for almost a decade, and their contribution cannot be underestimated.

However, with no competitive football for India for the next two years and an international tournament almost half a decade down the line, it would be wise to integrate younger players, replacing the likes of Sandesh and Gurpreet.

By the time India can compete in their next AFC Asian Cup, Sandesh will be 38 and Gurpreet will be 39. To build a strong team capable of competing against the best teams in Asia in 2031, it is important that we give our young players enough time to hone their skills at the international level.

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