Sandesh Jhingan returns to Indian squad after lengthy recovery from ACL injury

The Indian defender will bring stability to the backline against Malaysia.

It is good news for the Indian football team, as their current best centre-back Sandesh Jhingan is back to represent them in the upcoming international friendly against Malaysia. The 31-year-old has recovered from his right knee injury and is finally back after undergoing two surgeries to take the field as a match-fit player.

When was Sandesh Jhingan injured?

Sandesh Jhingan suffered a serious blow in his right knee, more than nine months back on January 23, 2024. The injury was sustained in an AFC Asian Cup group-stage game against Syria.

Immediately after the big injury, Jhingan was subbed out for Nikhil Poojary in the initial minutes of the second half. Since then, the defender has been out of play.

Sandesh Jhingan’s comeback post-injury

The veteran stopper finally made his comeback to professional football, on November 2, representing his club FC Goa in an Indian Super League (ISL) game against Bengaluru FC. Jhingan played a full 90 minutes in the game and helped keep a clean sheet in the three-goal victory against the table-toppers.

A dream return to the pitch for @SandeshJhingan with a clean sheet and 3 points, 9 long months later. 🫶🏻⚽️Watch #ISL 2024-25 live on Jio Cinema & Sports 18-3 👉 https://t.co/dZeZrDlpAS pic.twitter.com/cw5ZpqSF2t

— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) November 4, 2024

During the game, Sandesh committed two fouls, and ten accurate passes and managed to keep the jeweled attacking line-up of Bengaluru FC to only eight shots, with just one on target.

The defender played just one game, after recovering from his season-long injury, but that was enough for the national team head coach Manolo Marquez (who is also the manager of FC Goa) to put him back in the role.

How Sandesh Jhingan’s comeback will affect the Indian football team?

The Indian national football team have struggled for too long after Sandesh Jhingan’s injury. The Blue Tigers performed poorly in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and faced elimination. 

In these nine months, India have won none of their games and also faced eight goals in seven games. The side has also lost three of these seven games, many of which witnessed defensive errors.

Jhingan’s return to the national team, currently managed by his club manager Manolo Marquez, is expected to be a big plus. Manolo has seen Jhingan reviving from his injury throughout the process and is thus expected to know how to use him efficiently as he did in the game against Bengaluru FC.

In the absence of Sandesh Jhingan, a perfect back-line for the Indian national football team have not been successfully implemented. But now, with his entry, a perfect pair in the center-back zone can be expected.

Jhingan with his error-free tackles, calm runs, and defensive attributes is the biggest boost for India in the defense. With him in the back line, the Blue Tigers will be aiming for a clean sheet against the 133rd-ranked Malaysia. Also, the think-tank will now feel assured in making a long-term strategy in the defense.

India’s 26-member probable squad

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith.

Defenders: Aakash Sangwan, Anwar Ali, Asish Rai, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan.

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Jithin MS, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Vibin Mohanan.

Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Farukh Choudhary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh.

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