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Few names resonate in Indian football quite like Sunil Chhetri’s. The 40-year-old striker has been the heart and soul of the national team for nearly two decades, carrying the Blue Tigers on his shoulders in good times and bad. Yet, in a decision that has stunned fans and pundits alike, newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil has left Chhetri out of India’s 35-man probables list for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup 2025.
The omission raises critical questions: Is this the definitive end of Chhetri’s international journey? Is Jamil making a bold statement by prioritising transition? Or is this simply a strategic choice based on fitness, form, and the team’s future trajectory?
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A Shock Omission
When the All India Football Federation (AIFF) released the list of probables for the CAFA Nations Cup — to be played in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan later this month — the glaring absence of Chhetri was immediately noticed. The AIFF offered no official explanation, leaving the decision open to speculation.
This absence feels particularly jarring because Chhetri only recently reversed his decision to retire from international football. After his emotional farewell against Kuwait in June 2024, he returned at the request of then-coach Manolo Marquez to bolster India’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
Since then, he has featured in four matches for the Blue Tigers in 2025, suggesting he was still considered valuable. To see him axed from the squad entirely is therefore a decision of immense significance.
Chhetri’s Recent International Journey
When Chhetri announced his retirement in 2024, it was seen as the closing of a glorious chapter. But India’s struggles in the qualifiers soon prompted a rethink. With Marquez at the helm, the veteran striker was persuaded to return, playing in matches against the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.
Unfortunately, the results were far from ideal. India scraped a draw against Bangladesh and fell to Hong Kong, leaving their qualification hopes for the 2027 Asian Cup hanging by a thread.
Still, Chhetri’s presence offered stability, leadership, and a touch of class in key moments. For many, his return signaled that India was not yet ready to move on from its greatest-ever striker.
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The Khalid Jamil Era Begins
Khalid Jamil, the first full-time Indian coach of the men’s national team in over a decade, has already made waves with his bold selections. Known for his no-nonsense approach and willingness to back younger players, Jamil appears intent on ushering in a generational transition.
By leaving Chhetri out, Jamil has effectively signaled that the team must begin preparing for a future without its talisman. His list includes a blend of experienced campaigners like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Rahul Bheke, alongside emerging talents such as Vikram Partap Singh, Irfan Yadwad, and Nikhil Prabhu.
This mix suggests Jamil is striving for balance — experience to anchor the side, but youth to build for the next decade.
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Club Context: Bengaluru FC’s Troubles
Another factor hovering over Chhetri’s omission is the precarious situation at his club, Bengaluru FC. Earlier this year, the club suspended salaries for players and staff amid uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Bengaluru are yet to begin pre-season training, leaving Chhetri without the same match fitness or sharpness as some of his peers. Interestingly, however, several other Bengaluru FC players — including Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, and Suresh Singh Wangjam — are included in the 35 probables. This suggests that while Bengaluru’s situation is a concern, it is not the sole reason behind Chhetri’s exclusion.
Group B Challenge: A Tough Road Ahead
India have been drawn into Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup, where they will face some formidable opponents:
This tournament serves not only as a competitive test but also as preparation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Singapore, where the Blue Tigers must deliver results to stay on course for continental contention.
The AIFF has already urged clubs to release players promptly for this “crucial assignment.”
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Reading Between the Lines
Chhetri’s omission is, on paper, just one name missing from a long list. But symbolically, it marks the beginning of a seismic shift. For nearly two decades, every Indian coach — from Stephen Constantine to Igor Stimac — built their tactical setups with Chhetri at the core.
Jamil’s move represents a departure from that dependence. It acknowledges the inevitable reality that Chhetri, despite his unparalleled contribution, cannot be the face of India’s future campaigns.
Fan and Expert Reactions
Unsurprisingly, the news has divided opinion. Many fans took to social media to express disbelief, calling it a “harsh” or “premature” decision. Others praised Jamil’s courage, arguing that India must think long-term rather than clinging to past glories.
Former players and analysts, too, weighed in. Some questioned the timing — arguing that Chhetri could still contribute in high-pressure tournaments — while others saw it as a necessary evolution.
What cannot be disputed is that this decision will shape how Jamil is perceived in the early months of his tenure. If India perform well, he will be hailed as a visionary. If they falter, questions about Chhetri’s absence will inevitably resurface.
Is This the End for Sunil Chhetri?
For now, Chhetri remains an active player at club level, though Bengaluru FC’s struggles cast uncertainty over his immediate future. Internationally, however, this omission feels definitive.
At 40, returning from a second exit seems unlikely. But given his history of defying expectations, one cannot completely rule it out. Whether this is truly the curtain call or just another pause in his remarkable career remains to be seen.
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Conclusion
Sunil Chhetri’s absence from India’s 35 probables for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 marks more than just a squad announcement — it signals a generational shift in Indian football. Khalid Jamil, in his first major decision as head coach, has chosen to prioritize the future over sentiment, a move that will define not only this tournament but perhaps the next era of the Blue Tigers.
For fans, it is bittersweet. The thought of India lining up without the talisman who has given them so many unforgettable nights feels alien. Yet football is, at its core, about evolution.
As India prepare to face Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, the torch is being passed. And while Chhetri may not be on the pitch, his legacy will loom large — inspiring a new generation tasked with carrying Indian football forward.
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