Khalid Jamil says Chhetri likely to be called up before Asian Cup qualifier in October
Chief coach of present senior national team Khalid Jamil revealed during the media conference held in Bengaluru on Monday that Sunil Chhetri who returned to senior national team breaking his international retirement, but not included in the present senior national team, is likely to be called up again before India’s all-important Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore in October. Jamil, on the day before senior national team’s departure for Hisor, Tajikistan to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup, said, “I had talks with Sunil. He assured he would be available for the senior national team’s next Asian Cup qualifying match against Singapore in October, this year.” On the challenges in CAFA Nations Cup, he said, “Yes, we have information on Tajikistan, IR Iran, and Afghanistan. They are strong sides and have done well recently. But we must focus on our own game and be mentally prepared. The key is belief and playing as a unit. There is improvement, but it will take time. Focus should also be given to juniors alongside seniors, to build a strong future.” India will face hosts Tajikistan (August 29), IR Iran (September 1), and Afghanistan (September 4) in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, in Hisor, Tajikistan. The group winners will play the final in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, while the two second-placed teams in each group will face off in the third-place match. Jamil stressed the importance of unity and professionalism in the team. He said, “The players are professionals. Once they enter the ground, they are focussed. For me, there is no excuse. Everyone is working hard. We will play as a team, adapt with whoever is available, and give opportunities for new players to prove themselves and become stars.”
Senior national team announced; Gurpreet back after eight months
Khalid Jamil announced his first squad for the CAFA Nations Cup, opting to leave out veteran Sunil Chhetri in order to test new forwards. Meanwhile, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu makes his return to the Indian team after an eight-month absence. Sandhu last played for India in the 1-1 friendly against Malaysia in November. Marquez had preferred Vishal Kaith for recent fixtures earlier this year, including back-to-back defeats to Thailand and Hong Kong in June. Gurpreet expressed his renewed motivation via social media: ‘A familiar frame, but it feels a bit different now. The desire, the hunger to go out there every day wearing our nation’s badge has become even more intense.’ Mohun Bagan Super Giants have not released players like Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Deepak Tangri, Manvir Singh, and Liston Colaco for the tournament, citing their obligation to adhere only to the official FIFA international match calendar when releasing players. However, the final squad for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 has an interesting mix of young and experienced players. The 23-year-old FC Goa goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari has secured his place in the national team squad. The talented custodian had an impressive last season in the Indian Super League. Amrinder Singh is another option in the squad for the goalkeeping role. India’s defense has some predictable names, including the experienced Sandesh Jhingan, who will have the responsibility to marshal the defense against formidable opponents. His centre-back partner, Anwar Ali, is also in the squad. The East Bengal centre back recently joined the camp after the Durand Cup campaign. The versatile Rahul Bheke is another familiar name in the squad who is expected to play either as centre-back or right-back. The full-back roles will see relatively new faces. Punjab FC left-back Muhammed Uvais will don the Indian colours for the first time. Valpuia and Naorem Roshan Singh have also kept their place in the squad. Midfield is one area where India might struggle, as some senior players are not available for the tournament. Players like Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq, Jeakson Singh, and Borish Singh will be seen operating in the centre of the park. There are no surprising calls from Khalid Jamil when it comes to wide forwards. The task of creating chances on the wings will be undertaken by the likes of Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Jithin MS, and Lallianzuala Chhangte. With Sunil Chhetri absent from the squad, the Number 9 role presents the biggest gap to fill. Khalid Jamil will turn to young faces, including Jamshedpur FC striker Manvir Singh, who will make his debut, to lead t lead the line in the 8-nation tournament. Irfan Yadwad, who made his first international appearance against Malaysia last year, and Vikram Partap Singh are also set to compete for the striker’s role. India faces Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan on 29th August, 1st and 4th September. Jamil had announced 35 players for the training camp that started on August 15at the Dravid-Padukone Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru.
Ten I-League clubs request promotion-relegation in new MRA; Inter Kashi, Churchill Brothers missing from letter
Ten I-League clubs wrote to the amicus curiae of the AIFF constitution case, which is pending in the Supreme Court, on Sunday, requesting promotion and relegation in the next season of the Indian Super League. According to a report from Sportstar, the clubs in a letter to senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and advocate Samar Bansal have written, “We may mention that we are not parties before the Hon’ble Supreme Court in this ongoing litigation, but remain acutely affected by it,” “As things stand, the AIFF’s inability to sign a new Master Rights Agreement (MRA) with FSDL Football Sports Development Limited has led to a virtual suspension of all leagues below ISL as well,” the 10 sides wrote. “Due to the pending court case, the undersigned clubs have not received any engagement from the AIFF. “This information asymmetry is creating significant difficulties, which include but are not limited to playing calendar, fixture finalization, venue confirmation, broadcasting, and production costs, sports technology investments, club entry fees, subsidy structures, and budget provisioning, prize money structure and league composition,” the clubs wrote. Secondly, the clubs warned against the ISL becoming a ‘closed league’. Earlier in March, FSDL had proposed a draft for a fresh MRA that involved a 10-year moratorium on promotion/relegation from ISL to lower tiers. The 10 clubs are Aizawl FC, Namdhari FC, Rajasthan United, Dempo SC, Gokulam Kerala, Real Kashmir, Sreenidi Deccan, and Shillong Lajong. They are the I-League sides from last season, while Diamond Harbor FC and Chanmari FC have been promoted through I-League-2. The current MRA between AIFF and FSDL runs out in December 2025, and the Supreme Court has directed the two parties to find a solution for a future agreement. The lack of a solution about a future MRA has put this season’s ISL ‘on hold’ — officially on July 11 — and has spiraled into the I-League’s plans for the 2025-26 campaign. The letter added, “We request you to consider putting forth our point of view before the Honorable Supreme Court in the same manner as you have done on 22nd August, 2025, on behalf of the ISL clubs.” The top two — champion Inter Kashi and runner-up Churchill Brothers — and the bottom two — Sporting Club Bengaluru and Delhi FC – in I-League’s previous season did not feature in the letter.
