Why Sunil Chhetri's enforced omission could be a blessing in disguise

India's all-time leading goalscorer is currently on a break after he tested positive for COVID-19.

On Monday the 15th of March, the Indian national team flew to Dubai for their preparatory camp ahead of international friendlies against Oman and the UAE, to be played on 25th and 29th respectively. 27 players are part of the provisional squad as India are set to play an international game after 492 days, since losing to Oman 1-0 in a 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier. However, captain and talisman Sunil Chhetri is not part of the squad, having tested positive for COVID-19. He’s currently recovering and is in isolation.

While on one hand this news brings a little despair for India’s No. 11 and currently the second-highest active goalscorer in world football after Cristiano Ronaldo, it throws the gauntlet into the field for a quartet that possesses talent, ruthless energy, a hint of touch and class and impressive presence.

With both Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant Singh not rising up to standards at East Bengal this season, national team manager Igor Stimac has picked three names that could make their debuts alongside Manvir Singh, who has made 14 appearances for the Blue Tigers. In the Blue jersey, the ATKMB forward has scored three times till date.

Ishan Pandita oozes confidence with his composed finishing and presence of mind, Liston Colaco adds a spark of trickery and Hitesh Sharma brings to the table some smart positioning and touch-and-go play, completing the quartet. After impressing immensely in the recently-concluded Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 season, these four youngsters will now have to take the responsibility of leading the national team’s attack.

This opportunity will test these youngsters and their ability to soak pressure. It will also give Stimac time to look at the future and find some solutions to India’s long-standing problems surrounding a consistent No. 9. In recent years, Sunil Chhetri has played both as a No. 9 as well as on the left, depending on the availability of other players and their form.

Let’s look at a few combinations that we could see walk out of the tunnel on March 25 at the top.

1. Manvir Singh & Ishan Pandita

https://youtu.be/Fb9RuKfGIV8

This looks the most likely combination in the absence of Sunil Chhetri, and Pandita the most likely starter. For the ISL runners-up, Manvir was mostly deployed down the right and he did justice to his role, burning a lot of grass. His shooting prowess, however, is second to none, and his goals against East Bengal in the second game and NorthEast United in the semi-finals are testaments to that. The 25-year-old is confident about running at players, beating them with pace, making space and shooting.

On the other hand, we have a different breed in Pandita. He’s the sort that keeps disturbing opposition defenders by means of smart positioning and composed play. If a half-chance falls to him, he is India’s best bet to convert it. Pandita is good in the air and knows how to handle pressure.

2. Liston Colaco & Ishan Pandita

Given his proficiency in the right wing position, Manvir could start on the right and that will increase prospects for Liston to start just behind Pandita or on the left as an inverted forward. Against resolute and defensively disciplined teams such as Oman and the UAE, India will need players that have the creative flair, knowhow and brevity to unlock defences and Liston possesses all of that.

Ishan will play his usual role.

3. Ishan Pandita and Hitesh Sharma

With Hitesh Sharma in the mix, Stimac has the prospect of someone who plays the role of a tireless runner and space creator to the T. Sharma can excel brilliantly in the role of a second striker, but might come a little short on the physicality scale. However, his incessant runs could trouble defenders from the Middle East.

In this system, Manvir and Liston could feature too, meaning India could play a very attacking side. However, the prospects of this happening seem low. Irrespective of the starting pair or troika in attack, the situation presents a wonderful opportunity to Stimac and Indian football in general with the lens of attacking options post-2023 or even earlier. With Brandon Fernandes and Sahal Abdul Samad also out, these four along with Anirudh Thapa will have to provide the bulk of the creativity. This, in turn, will pose another challenge to their abilities, bringing out another aspect of the game. Someone like Liston Colaco could well be the solution, but we’ll have to wait and watch.

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