Khalid Jamil has officially announced the 23-member India squad for the upcoming CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) Nations Cup 2025. The tournament is set to commence on August 29 in Dushanbe. One of the key highlights of the squad announcement is the return of experienced goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
India finds itself in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup, where they will face host nation Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The Blue Tigers are scheduled to play Tajikistan on August 29, followed by Iran on September 1, and Afghanistan on September 4.
This tournament marks a significant opportunity for Khalid Jamil to assess his team's capabilities ahead of the crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Jamil emphasized his inclusive approach, stating, "My doors are always open to every player. The CAFA Nations Cup will be an excellent opportunity for us to test our players against quality teams. Some players may not be in the squad right now because I want to try a few other less-tested ones, but rest assured, we will bring our best available squad for the Asian Cup qualifiers".
The top two teams from each group will advance to the play-off stage, with matches scheduled for September 8. The third-place match will be contested between the two group runners-up in Dushanbe, while the final will be held in Tashkent between the two group winners.
The CAFA Nations Cup features six core members: Afghanistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Oman and India have been invited to participate in this second edition of the tournament. Iran is the defending champion, having secured a 1-0 victory against Uzbekistan in the 2023 final.
The squad includes three goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, and Hrithik Tiwari. The defenders selected are Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Mawia Ralte, and Muhammed Uvais. The midfielders chosen are Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq Bhat, Jeakson Singh, Boris Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh, and Naorem Mahesh Singh. The forwards in the squad are Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh (Jr.), Jithin MS, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Vikram Partap Singh.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's return to the national team is noteworthy. Sandhu, a seasoned goalkeeper, last played for India in a friendly draw against Malaysia in November 2024. He holds the distinction of being the only Indian to have played in the UEFA Europa League, a feat he achieved while playing for Norwegian club Stabaek. He also captained the European club at the age of 24, becoming the first Indian to achieve this milestone. Sandhu has captained India on several occasions, including a memorable 0-0 draw against Asian champions Qatar. In 2019, he was awarded the Arjuna Award by the President of India.
Notably absent from the squad are players from Mohun Bagan Super Giant. According to reports, the club did not release any players for the camp. Key players like Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Deepak Tangri, and Vishal Kaith are among those excluded. Also missing from the squad is veteran striker Sunil Chhetri.
