Indian soccer manager Khalid Jamil has omitted Sunil Chhetri from his lineup for the CAFA Nations Cup.
India's celebrated footballer, Sunil Chhetri, has been left out of the 35 probables for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, with the official reason given as injury. However, the decision has sparked speculation and raised questions about the national team setup and club priorities.
Currently unfit to play, Chhetri, India's leading goal-scorer and former captain, was surprisingly omitted from the 23-man squad despite his return from international retirement earlier in the year. Despite his absence, head coach Khalid Jamil emphasized that there is no better player in India than Chhetri and that he will remain integral to the national team when available.
The exclusion of Chhetri fits within a broader strategy to manage player workload ahead of key upcoming matches, such as the Asian Cup qualifiers in October. Some suggest that the CAFA Nations Cup is viewed by the coach as a preparatory tournament, justifying leaving out senior players like Chhetri to perhaps manage fitness.
However, the reasons for Chhetri's omission are unclear, with speculation surrounding his form, a personal request, or a decision to rest him. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials declined to comment on the matter, stating that the question should be directed to the head coach.
Meanwhile, the CAFA Nations Cup squad will begin training in Bengaluru from Saturday. Seven of the expected players represent Mohun Bagan, three hail from East Bengal, and one is from NorthEast United. Despite Bengaluru FC's financial issues, several other players from the club, including Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Chinglensana Konsham, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Naorem, and Suresh Wangjam, remain in contention for the CAFA Nations Cup.
India will face co-host Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan in the CAFA Nations Cup on August 29, September 1, and September 4, respectively. The third-place match and the final of the CAFA Nations Cup will be held in Hisor (Tajikistan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan) on September 8.
In recent international action, India lost 0-2 to Thailand and drew 0-0 with Bangladesh, while suffering a 0-1 loss to Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. These results, coupled with the exclusion of Chhetri, have led to the resignation of head coach Manolo Marquez.
The AIFF has urged all clubs to release national team players for the CAFA Nations Cup to properly prepare for the upcoming Asian Cup Qualifiers against Singapore. The exclusion of Sunil Chhetri and the strategic uncertainties surrounding it suggest potential shifts within both the national team setup and club priorities.
The future of Indian football will undoubtedly be shaped by these decisions, and fans eagerly await the return of Chhetri to the national team.
Despite his absence due to injury, Sunil Chhetri's omission from the CAFA Nations Cup squad has ignited discussions about player management strategies and the national team setup, given his integral role in Indian football. With his return from international retirement earlier in the year, some question whether his exclusion is justified, particularly given the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.
Sunil Chhetri, despite being unavailable for the CAFA Nations Cup, remains an important figure in Indian football, and his future involvement with the national team is eagerly anticipated by fans, as his return could significantly impact the team's performance in forthcoming tournaments.
