Chief national coach Igor Stimac finally has called up I-League footballers, for the first time in the senior national preparatory camp for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium. 

The four footballers include the top Indian goal-scorer in the I-league, Lalrinzuala Lalbianka who surpassed Sunil Chhetri’s record in the I-league this season, David Lalhlasanga from Mohammedan Sporting, Inter Kashi’s Edmund Laldrinka and Real Kashmir defender Muhammad Hammad. 

It might be the reflection of criticism coming from the Indian football fraternity on social media as well as from a section of former Indian coaches who have been raising their voices on different occasions against the negligence of overlooking performers in the I-League in recent times. 

However, Sandesh Jhingan's injury in the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year and absence in the second phase of the ISL have excluded him from the first list of 26 probables. 

His unavailability in the World Cup qualifier might be a blow but at the same time, can create an opportunity for others to prove their mettle during the four-week forthcoming preparatory camp at Bhubaneswar, scheduled to start from 10th May. The senior national football team will be playing against Kuwait on 6th June. 

The footballers, contracted with Mohun Bagan Super Giants and Mumbai City FC were not named in the first probables list. They can join the squad later but the decision on the footballers involved in the ISL final will only be taken if they can recover and join the national team without any issues. 

The inclusion of several uncapped footballers finally reflects Stimac's keenness to give opportunities to promising footballers and build a strong team for the future.