The omission of Sunil Chhetri, the Indian football talisman, from the 35-man probable list for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup has sparked considerable debate. Newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil has now addressed the situation, offering clarity on his decision.

Jamil stated that his primary reason for not including Chhetri in the camp is to evaluate younger players. He emphasized the importance of preparing for the Asian Cup qualifiers and views the CAFA Nations Cup as an opportunity to test the potential of emerging talents. "Sunil Chhetri is a role model for Indian football, and the door is always open for him," Jamil stated, according to an official X post by the Indian football team. "He's not there in this camp because we are playing a tournament, which will essentially serve as preparation for our Asian Cup qualifiers, and I want to try out a few other players," he added.

Jamil also revealed that he had a conversation with Chhetri regarding his decision. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with having a player of Chhetri's caliber in the team.

Chhetri's international career has been a subject of discussion in recent times. He initially announced his retirement on March 6, 2025, with his last match slated against Bangladesh on March 25. However, he reversed his decision at the request of then-head coach Manolo Marquez and participated in four games for India, scoring one goal.

The AIFF had remained silent on the matter, directing inquiries to the head coach. The decision to exclude Chhetri has surprised many, considering his consistent performance and iconic status in Indian football. It's worth noting that Chhetri, who turned 41 earlier this month, was coaxed out of international retirement by Manolo Marquez early this year.

Adding to the complexity, Chhetri's club, Bengaluru FC, recently suspended salaries for its first-team players and staff due to uncertainty surrounding the ISL's future. Despite this, several other Bengaluru FC players have been included in the probables list, including goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defenders Chinglensana Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, and midfielder Suresh Singh.

Jamil's first assignment with the national team will be the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, where India will face Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. India begins their campaign against Tajikistan on August 29, followed by Iran on September 1, and Afghanistan on September 4.

While the focus is on nurturing new talent, Jamil has kept the door open for Chhetri's return, acknowledging his significant contribution to Indian football. Only time will tell if Chhetri will don the national colors again, but for now, the coach is looking to the future.