In a surprising yet strategic move, Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has been called back to the national team less than a year after announcing his retirement. The 40-year-old striker, who debuted for India two decades ago, has been included in head coach Manolo Márquez’s 26-member squad for the upcoming March international window. Chhetri, who will be 40 years, 7 months, and 16 days old when India faces the Maldives in a friendly on March 19, is set to play a pivotal role in the team’s campaign.
The Blue Tigers will then shift their focus to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers, where they are slated to take on Bangladesh in the opening match of the final round on March 25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. India’s qualification group also includes Hong Kong (China) and Singapore, making the road to the Asian Cup a challenging one. Notably, the Indian team has struggled in previous editions of the tournament, failing to progress beyond the group stage after losing all their matches in the last edition.
Head coach Manolo Márquez emphasized the significance of Chhetri’s return, stating, “The qualification for the Asian Cup is very crucial for us. Given the importance of the tournament and the matches ahead, I discussed with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the national team. He agreed, and so we have included him in the squad.”
Chhetri’s inclusion brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the squad, qualities that could prove invaluable as India aims to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament. His return has sparked optimism among fans, who hope his presence will inspire the team to overcome past disappointments and make a strong statement in the qualifiers.
Veteran Sunil Chhetri Returns to Bolster Indian National Team Ahead of Crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
