India Excludes Sunil Chhetri from AFC Asian Cup Qualifier Squad

The Indian men's national football team has announced a 23-member probable list for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh, notably excluding talismanic forward Sunil Chhetri. The match is scheduled to take place on November 18, 2025, at the National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

India's national team, currently positioned at the bottom of Group C with only two points, has already been eliminated from contention for the tournament. Despite this setback, head coach Khalid Jamil aims to utilise the match as an opportunity to evaluate younger talent.

Chhetri, who reversed his retirement decision earlier this year, was part of the squad during the initial qualifying fixture against Bangladesh in March 2025. However, his performance has come under scrutiny since Jamil’s appointment, leading to speculation regarding his future with the national side. Bengaluru FC's coach, Gerard Zaragoza, recently questioned Chhetri's deployment as a lone striker, suggesting that this role does not align with his capabilities.

The exclusion of players from Mohun Bagan Super Giant has also raised eyebrows. Reports indicate that a dispute over player release outside the FIFA international window has led to their omission. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) requested players to report before the official window, which begins on November 10, causing Mohun Bagan to hesitate in releasing their players.

According to club sources, FIFA compensates player salaries for injuries sustained during international windows but does not extend this coverage for injuries occurring outside of these periods. A Mohun Bagan representative stated, “AIFF has refused to compensate salaries if a player gets injured outside the international window. As a club, we cannot take that additional financial risk.”

With the match against Bangladesh not affecting qualification, Jamil has included several promising young players such as Mohammed Sanan, who has been called up from the under-23 squad, alongside other emerging talents like Bikash Yumnam and Paramveer Singh. This shift towards youth indicates a strategic move to build a new generation of footballers in India.

The national team is set to convene in Bengaluru on November 6 before departing for Dhaka on November 15. With many eyes on the upcoming fixture, the focus will be on how the team adapts without their seasoned captain and how they integrate fresh talent into the playing style.