India’s interest at the fore: Khalid Jamil defends insulting senior players for Brazil and Uruguay

ByTech Word News

India head coach Khalid Jamil has defended his decision to leave out several senior players from the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil, Uruguay and Panama. Jamil emphasized that the omissions were not a call for veteran players to walk away, but said India’s interests must come before individual reputations.

Speaking to the Tech Word News, Jamil said the likes of Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco and Jeakson Singh remain in contention for future selections. He added that injury, form or fitness could bring older players back into the squad when needed.

“I know there is talk that many senior players have not been called up, but I am not closing the door on them or asking them to leave,” Jamil told TOI.

“We’ll get them back if we need to, maybe through injury (coverage) or a trade (due to form).”

India squad for matches against Uruguay, Panama and Brazil:

  • GoalkeepersCast: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Albino Gomes, Som Kumar, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill
  • Defenders: Akash Mishra, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Bijoy Varghese, Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam
  • Reserves: Macarton Nickson, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Anirudh Thapa, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong
  • Attackers: Irfan Yadwad, Edmund Lalrindika, Rahim Ali, Manvir Singh, Ryan Williams, Vikram Partap Singh

INDIA’S INTEREST COMES FIRST

Jamil’s selection attracted attention as India will face three nations that have featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Panama, ranked 44th in the world, will be followed by five-time world champions Brazil and two-time winners Uruguay, with the last two matches scheduled in Kolkata.

Two of India’s three recent captains Jhingan and Bheke remain sidelined, goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, Chhangte, Colaco and Jeakson are also missing. Jhingan has 77 international appearances to his credit, while the group collectively carry more than 200 caps.

However, Jamil does not believe that a match against a team of Brazil’s caliber should decide selection based on past service.

“I have to put India’s interest ahead of any individual player’s interest or even my own. For example, the match against Brazil cannot be a reward (for the players’ services); it is not an exhibition. It is a proper international friendly and we have to be at our best,” he said.

The former India midfielder also sees the window as an opportunity to prepare for the next Asian Cup qualification cycle that starts next year. The current squad has an average age of around 24-25, reflecting Jamil’s desire to showcase younger players ahead of these qualifiers.

JAMIL HAS BACKUP READY

The coach’s concerns go beyond experience, as at least 10 members of the 26-man squad are yet to play a competitive game this season. Several clubs did not participate in the Durand Cup or Asian competitions, so Jamil is not sure in what condition some players will arrive at the camp.

Along with the 26-man squad, Jamil named four reserves: goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, defenders Chinglensan Singh Konsham and Roshan Singh Naorem and midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam.

But even this group does not represent the full extent of his contingency planning.

“Apart from the 26 and four reserves, I have about 10 players in my mind who I think could fit into this team. We will have (fitness) tests on the first day and if a player doesn’t deliver, he will be sent home in a day,” Jamil said.

The message applies to all players, including those who have been selected. Jamil made it clear that fitness and intentions will be assessed when the squad is assembled, with replacements ready if anyone falls short of the standards required for matches against top opposition.

India will begin their warm-up camp in Bengaluru on September 14 before taking on Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on September 26. The team will then move to Kolkata on September 28, where they will face Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6.

The three fixtures give Jamil a rare opportunity to assess his developing squad against World Cup opposition, while also giving the new generation of Indian players exposure at the highest level. For the coach, the results will be less important than how India respond to the challenge and what the team can carry into the next phase of their international programme.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

03 Sep 2026 09:52 IST