Khalid Jamil Names India Squad, Excludes All Mohun Bagan Super Giant Players

Image Credit: AIFF

India’s newly appointed head coach, Khalid Jamil, unveiled a 23-member squad for the CAFA Nations Cup on August 24 in Bengaluru, remarkably without a single player from ISL champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The Kolkata giants, who had seven players in Jamil’s preliminary list, refused to release their stars citing the tournament’s exclusion from the official FIFA window and their impending AFC Champions League 2 commitments starting September 16.

Jamil addressed the controversy calmly by saying, “Whatever resources I have got or available, you have to use them. The attitude of the senior players like Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan has been very good. I have full support and I haven’t felt any difficulty”. Despite the absence of key Mohun Bagan talents like Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, Deepak Tangri, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Lalengmawia Ralte(Apuia) and goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, the coach expressed confidence in the remaining squad, emphasizing unity and adaptability.

The decision has sparked a fresh “club versus country” debate. Mohun Bagan officials insist they are not obligated to release players outside FIFA windows and have raised concerns over player welfare, pointing to the squad’s captain Subhasish Bose’s unresolved injury. Meanwhile, the AIFF and Jamil have appealed for smoother coordination ahead of India’s maiden CAFA campaign.

India, drawn in Group B alongside hosts Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan, will begin their CAFA Nations Cup journey on August 29 in Hisor, Tajikistan. Jamil remains optimistic, “They know they have to do well once they get out on the field. My preparation is for the tournament.”