Khalid Jamil lifts lid on Sunil Chhetri snub: Wished totally different faces in CAFA Cup

After days of whispers and fan debates, the suspense is lastly over. New India head coach Khalid Jamil has damaged his silence on the most important speaking level of his first squad record—the absence of Sunil Chhetri. The 40-year-old icon, who has carried Indian soccer on his shoulders for almost twenty years, was nowhere to be discovered within the 35-man probables for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, kicking off on August 29.

Explaining his choice, Jamil confirmed that he had already spoken to Chhetri earlier than unveiling the record.

“Sunil (Chhetri) is a job mannequin for Indian soccer, and the door is at all times open for him. He’s not there within the camp as a result of we’re taking part in a event, which can primarily function a preparation for our Asian Cup qualifiers, and I need to check out a number of different gamers,” Jamil mentioned.

The omission has naturally reignited discussions round Chhetri’s worldwide future. As soon as the face of Indian soccer, the ahead had introduced his retirement from nationwide responsibility in June 2024. Nevertheless, he was persuaded to make a short-lived return earlier this 12 months by then-coach Manolo Mrquez, that includes in 4 Asian Cup qualifier matches and scoring in a 3-0 victory over the Maldives. Regardless of his comeback, India struggled within the group stage, with a expensive draw in opposition to Bangladesh and a defeat to Hong Kong denting their qualification hopes for the 2027 Asian Cup.

Chhetri’s absence additionally comes amid turbulence at membership degree. Bengaluru FC, the place he stays beneath contract, is navigating monetary uncertainty following the non permanent suspension of participant and employees salaries. Regardless of this, a number of of his membership teammates—Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Suresh Singh Wangjam and Chinglensana Singh—have discovered a spot in Jamil’s probables record.

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