India has opted to exclude Sunil Chhetri from the potential players’ list for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on November 5. The Indian team is already out of contention for the tournament and currently sits at the bottom of Group C with two points. The match against Bangladesh is scheduled to take place in Dhaka on November 18.
Chhetri had made a comeback to the Indian national team after reversing his retirement decision last year and participated in the first qualifier match against Bangladesh in March 2025. However, the influential forward has struggled to make a significant impact under the leadership of Khalid Jamil, who took over from Manolo Marquez.
India has drafted U-23 standout Mohammed Sanan into the senior squad for the upcoming game. The team will convene in Bengaluru on November 6 before heading to Dhaka on November 15.
The decision to exclude Chhetri from the squad has drawn attention to the coaching strategies of Jamil, with Bengaluru FC coach Gerard Zaragoza criticizing the utilization of Chhetri as a lone striker in the national team. Zaragoza highlighted Chhetri’s successful performance in the previous ISL season, where he scored 17 goals and provided four assists over 34 games, leading to his national team recall.
This move could indicate India’s shift towards exploring younger talent as they prepare for future competitions. The provisional squad includes notable players in various positions, showcasing a mix of experience and emerging talent.