Top three players returning to Indian football team from injury for June international window

A few Indian players are returning from the sidelines for Thailand and Hong Kong games.

Ahead of their two games in June against Thailand and Hong Kong, the Indian football team under coach Manolo Marquez has welcomed back some key players from injury. The Spaniard continues to search for his best starting eleven since taking over in July 2024 as the national team head coach.

While the game on June 4 against Thailand is an international friendly, it will be an excellent opportunity for the Blue Pilgrims to assess some old names returning to the national fold. However, after that, the Blue Tigers have an important run of games as they resume their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers campaign against Hong Kong on June 10.

Searching for their first win in the qualifiers, the Blue Tigers need to win their group to make it to the tournament scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027. Following the game against the Dragons, India will also play Singapore and Bangladesh, who have been drawn in Group C.

Here are the three old faces who are coming back to the Indian Football Team after their brief hiatus:

3. Manvir Singh

The 29-year-old missed out on the March international window through injury after a successful ISL campaign with Mohun Bagan. However, he will be making a comeback to the Indian football team set up in the upcoming games against Thailand and Hong Kong.

A consistent performer for Mohun Bagan, Manvir was one of the key Indian players who excelled during the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season. Primarily as a left-winger, he has shown agility and great turn of pace with his attacking contributions, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 23 appearances.

His dribbling skills and attacking output make him a crucial asset for the Indian frontline, and his return will be a massive boost for Marquez.

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2. Lallianzuala Chhangte

The Mumbai City FC attacker missed out on being part of the Indian football team for the March international window through injury. Manolo Marquez did miss Chhangte’s blistering pace, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring prowess against Bangladesh as the Indian football team only managed a 0-0 draw.

Chhangte’s return is good news for the Spaniard, who will be looking to slot him seamlessly back into the starting eleven ahead of a challenging couple of fixtures. The Thailand game will be an important indicator of how Chhangte will be utilized by Marquez ahead of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

1. Anwar Ali

The East Bengal FC centre back will be back in the Indian football team set up after missing out through injury during the March international window. Ali has had an injury-marred 2024-25 league campaign, but however he seems to have regained full fitness and was playing in the Kalinga Super Cup for the Torchbearers.

He helped the Red and Yellow Brigade keep six clean sheets in all competitions this season. The 24-year-old has earned a place in the squad despite inconsistency, injuries, internal disputes, and regime changes, he will leave no stone unturned on the pitch if he gets to play for the Indian football team once again.

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