Khalid Jamil's appointment as India's head coach has been nothing short of a breath of fresh air, particularly for veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, whose international career seemed to be teetering on the edge. After being surprisingly dropped by former head coach Manolo Marquez, Gurpreet found himself out of favor and riddled with doubts, questioning his place in the national team after having already played over 75 games for the country.
Marquez's preference for Vishal Kaith in goal for all of India's matches this year, including defeats against Thailand and Hong Kong, had cast a shadow over Gurpreet's future with the Blue Tigers. At 30 years old, being sidelined after achieving so much for the nation sparked a different feeling within him, forcing him to confront difficult questions about his career.
However, the arrival of Khalid Jamil brought renewed hope. Recognizing Gurpreet's immense talent and experience, Jamil wasted no time in recalling the "lanky custodian" to the national setup. Jamil's decision was a testament to his belief in Gurpreet's abilities, stating that not calling him back would have been his "biggest mistake". He even went as far as to say that Gurpreet is the best player in India and one of the best goalkeepers in Asia.
Gurpreet's return to the squad was not just a sentimental move; it was a strategic one. Jamil understood the importance of having a reliable and experienced presence in goal, especially with crucial tournaments like the CAFA Nations Cup on the horizon. Gurpreet's inclusion in the probables list for the tournament signaled a clear shift in approach and a renewed faith in his capabilities.
Gurpreet himself has spoken about the mental challenges he faced during his time away from the team. He described having "a lot of delusions" and acknowledged the difficulty of being dropped after achieving so much. However, he used this setback as an opportunity to rediscover his best form, even returning to Norway, where he previously played, to prepare for his comeback. He emphasized the importance of mental fortitude, stating, "Never fold, never back down, no matter how bleak the road ahead might look to be".
The faith shown in him by Jamil clearly revitalized Gurpreet. He returned to the playing XI with a renewed hunger and desire to represent his nation. His importance to the team was immediately evident during India's opening fixture of the CAFA Nations Cup against Tajikistan. India won the match 2-1, and Gurpreet was the hero, making a stunning penalty save that proved crucial to the victory.
That save was more than just a display of goalkeeping prowess; it was a statement of intent. It was a message to everyone that Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was back, and he was ready to fight for his place in the team. His performance against Tajikistan was a testament to his resilience and determination, proving that he still has what it takes to perform at the highest level.
Gurpreet continued his impressive form throughout the CAFA Nations Cup, culminating in a decisive penalty shootout save against Oman that secured a third-place finish for India. This victory was particularly significant as it came against a team ranked 52 places above India in the FIFA standings. Gurpreet's heroics in the shootout not only earned India a bronze medal but also solidified his position as the team's undisputed number one.
Khalid Jamil's impact extends beyond just recalling Gurpreet to the team. He has instilled a new mentality within the squad, encouraging them to focus on defending and maintain their shape while also giving them the freedom to express themselves. This approach has brought a sense of discipline and flexibility to the team, which was evident in their performances at the CAFA Nations Cup. Jamil emphasizes the importance of changing the team's mentality, urging them to go into games with a winning mindset rather than expecting a draw or a loss. This change in mentality, coupled with Gurpreet's return to form, has injected new life into the Indian national team.
