India vs Russia preview, lineups, team news | FIFA Women's International Friendly
A good test for the Blue tigresses
The Indian women’s football team are poised to return to action when they face off against the Russian women’s side in the first of two friendly matches on Thursday, 8 October (2026) at the Kishore Bharati Krinangan, Kolkata.
Having won the SAFF Women’s Championship compellingly earlier this year, Crispin Chhetri’s side looks to maintain their positive momentum with a promising result against the dangerous European opponent in the friendly clash.
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The Stakes
India
The women’s side have had an eventful 2026 so far, which they started off by playing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. However, the Blue Tigresses ended up losing all three of their matches in the competition before also going on to lose to Kenya in the 2026 FIFA Women’s Series semi-finals.
However, since that clash, they’ve gone on to win every single match – including all their clashes at the SAFF Women’s Championship as well. But now, the Blue Tigresses face prominent opponents in the form of Russia – who will significantly raise the challenge level.
Crispin Chettri will need his side to be at their sharpest to tackle the threat from Russia, as they’ll need to be defensively really strong to hold their own.
Moreover, Crispin Chhetri’s side also needs to be brave and incisive in their attacking transitions to put the visitors under threat and be able to get a big result. A win for the Indian women’s side against a prominent European opposition will definitely boost their self-belief, but a crushing loss could also end up demotivating them badly.
Russia
The Russian women’s football team has only been involved in four competitive matches in 2026, but their recent record has actually been pretty promising. The Russian women have won three of the four matches they’ve participated in this year, including back-to-back wins over the China women’s side in June (2026).
But they are aware of the kind of unpredictable threat that the Indian women can be, which is why they’ll definitely take the upcoming friendly matches seriously.
The Russian side will look to be clever with their attacking rhythm, being unpredictable with their movement and build-up play to trouble the Indian defenders. They’ll also have to hold together a pretty sturdy defensive shape to neutralise the Blue Tigresses’ attacking threat and ensure they can command over the game.
A big away win for the Russian women will definitely add more positive momentum to the squad, but getting defeated by the Indian side will be a nasty stinger.
Team News
India will not have the services of Aveka Singh or Manisha Kalyan for these friendlies, as they’ve not been released by their clubs.
Russia have brought a relatively strong squad for their upcoming friendlies against India.
Head-to-Head Record
Matched Played – 2
India Women wins – 0
Russia Women wins – 2
Draws – 0
Predicted Lineup
India (4-2-3-1)
Monalisha Devi (GK), Juli Kishan, Ranjana Chanu, Purnima Kumari, Shubhangi Singh, Priyadharshini Selldurai, Sangita Basfore, Sanifda Nongrum, Lynda Kom, Malavika Prasad, Sibani Devi
Player to Watch
Lynda Kom (India)
With many of India’s regular attacking players not selected for these upcoming friendlies against Russia, there is an extra incentive for Lynda Kom to strengthen her hold in Crispin Chhetri’s side by impressing against the European side. Kom has managed a pretty good international record with seven goals in 17 appearances for the Blue Tigresses so far, and is aiming to add to that tally against Russia.
The 21-year-old will need to be really clever and sneaky with her forward movement in order to be a thorn in the Russian backline.
She will not only have to be smart with her link-up play and getting past the defenders, but also be at her sharpest in the final third. Indeed, Kom will be required to be clinical in finishing off chances inside the penalty area and nail her positioning to get to the end of more opportunities to enhance India’s goal-scoring threat.
Did you know?
- India women are currently on a five-match winning run, which includes them having scored 21 goals in that period!
- Russia defeated India at the 2025 Pink Ladies Cup, and have scored 10 goals in two meetings against the Blue Tigresses.
- The India vs Russia women’s friendly will be the first-ever international women’s match to be held at the Kishore Bharati Krinangan.
Telecast Details
The India vs Russia women’s friendly clash will take place at the Kishore Bharati Krinangan on Thursday (8 October, 2026). There is still no telecast information for the clash.
When and where will India Women vs Russia Women be played?
The India Women vs Russia Women friendly will be played on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 PM IST.
Is this the first international women’s match at Kishore Bharati Krirangan?
Yes. The India vs Russia friendly will be the first-ever international women’s football match to be played at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
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