‘The door is always open for him,’ Khalid Jamil on leaving Sunil Chhetri ahead of the CAFA Nations Cup

The newly appointed Indian head coach Khalid Jamil has left Indian legend Sunil Chhetri ahead of the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup.

Image | AIFF Media

A new chapter is unfolding in Indian football as Khalid Jamil takes charge of the senior men’s national team, marking the first time in 13 years that an Indian coach has led the Blue Tigers. The upcoming CAFA Nations Cup, set to be held in Hisor, Tajikistan, from August 29 to September 8, will be his first assignment as the head coach. However, he has left Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri of the Indian camp ahead of the tournament.

“Pleasure to serve the country”

The national camp officially kicked off on India’s Independence Day, with players gathering in Bengaluru before beginning their training sessions at the prestigious Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence. For Jamil, this maiden international coaching assignment is a dream come true.

“It is my pleasure to serve the country. There is a big task ahead of us, and we’ve got many areas to work on,” he said, fully aware of the immense responsibility entrusted to him by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

India's group in the CAFA Nations Cup features tough opponents from Central and West Asia: the hosts Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The tournament will serve as the preparation for the crucial AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifiers, where India will meet Singapore in the October FIFA International Window. “Playing against stronger teams like Tajikistan and Iran will definitely benefit us for the Asian Cup qualifiers,” Jamil stated.

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13 players are yet to arrive at the camp

The current national camp includes 22 players, while 13 others continue to compete in the Durand Cup. Jamil emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation, appealing to clubs to release players promptly to help the national team prepare fully. “This is India’s first-ever participation in the CAFA Nations Cup, and it will be a good opportunity to play tougher opponents,” he said.

“Whoever is doing well will be selected”

While Jamil approaches the tournament treating the matches as preparatory, he insists on professionalism and fitness. “We must do the simple things first and go step by step. The players who play must be 100 per cent fit,” he said. Jamil also stresses the time needed for mutual adjustment, both for himself to understand the players and vice versa. His philosophy is clear: “My doors are always open to everybody. Whoever is doing well will be selected.”

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Why no Sunil in the camp?

One of the most talked-about points ahead of the CAFA Cup is the absence of Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri from the provisional squad. Addressing this, Jamil expressed immense respect and admiration for the striker.

“Sunil is a legend and a role model. The door is always open for him,” he expressed. The decision to exclude Chhetri was influenced by the nature of the tournament as a preparatory platform and the desire to test fresh talent during this FIFA window.

“I had a talk with him about the same. It’s always a pleasure to have a player like him in the team,” Jamil added.

Players who have reported to the National camp so far

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hrithik Tiwari.

Defenders: Akash Mishra, Alex Saji, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Sunil Benchamin.

Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Danish Farooq Bhat, Nikhil Prabhu, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh Kumam.

Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh.

CAFA Nations Cup 2025: Groups

Group A: Uzbekistan (H), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman.

Group B: Tajikistan (H), Iran, Afghanistan, India.

CAFA Nations Cup 2025: India's schedule

August 29: Tajikistan vs India

September 1: India vs Iran

September 4: Afghanistan vs India

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