India at AFC Asian Cup 2024: Top 3 Indian Forwards Apart From Sunil Chhetri, Who Could Prove Decisive In Qatar

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With less than a week to go before India play their opening match against Australia in the Group B opener of AFC Asian Cup 2024, fans and experts alike are worrying if Indians are capable of posing a threat against the former champions, who are currently ranked 25th in FIFA.

There's no denying the fact that the Indian football team always looks at their popular captain Sunil Chhetri when they need goals. After all the ever-reliable striker has scored a record 93 goals for India. However, the current Indian setup is not just about Sunil Chhetri and MyKhel takes a look at three such forwards, who could turn decisive at AFC Asian Cup 2024.

Lallinzuala Chhangte
International Matches: 28
Goals: 7
AFC Asian Cup Appearances: Maiden call-up

For a man of immense talent, Lallinzuala Chhangte has come a long way since he was once criticised for not being consistent enough. 2022-23 turned out to be the breakthrough season for the footballer upon moving to Mumbai City FC as Chhangte racked up 10 goals and 6 assists in the season.

The 26-year-old winger soon found his way into the playing line-up soon after and overtook Udanta Singh in the right-wing position. For someone who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo and likes to imitate his style of play and professionalism, Lallinzuala Chhangte has earned high praise from coach Igor Stimac on numerous occasions.

"I must congratulate Zuala for the amount of hard work he does and brings the same discipline to the field. He is someone, who sets examples for others in the team. I would love to have more like him," Igor Stimac had said during an Intercontinental Cup press conference in Bhubaneswar last year.

Fast becoming the star of the national team, Lallinzuala Chhangte has also picked the nack of delivering in big games as his telepathic understanding with right-back Nikhil Poojary often puts rivals' defense in trouble. The forward also found his goalscoring form right before the competition as he scored against Chennaiyin FC in a 3-0 win as Mumbai City FC ended the year on a high note.

His goals against Lebanon and Kuwait in Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship finals last year while also setting up the winning goal for a memorable win over Kuwait in the Gulf nation during the World Cup Qualifiers in November.

Manvir Singh
International matches: 37
Goals: 7
AFC Asian Cup appearances: Maiden call-up

Speaking of the Indian goal in Kuwait City, Manvir Singh finally lived up to his expectations of taking the burden of scoring off aging Sunil Chhetri. The footballer showed his poaching instinct in front of the goal to tap in the sole goal in the 75th minute of the match.

His goal was a reminder to Indian fans of the potent attacking threats the player possesses as a long-term injury layoff forced him to miss the dual Cup success the Blue Tigers ejoyed at home. A prized possession of Mohun Bagan Super Giants over the last three seasons, the lanky forward's ability to generate pace on the wings and shield the ball using his physical presence makes him one of those rare Indian talents that came from Minerva Punjab Academy.

In build-up to the AFC Asian Cup 2024, Manvir Singh often was used in a wingback role by his club Mohun Bagan, especially when now-sacked coach Juan Ferrando went for a three-at-the-back formation. Manvir Singh, who shared the duty on the right flank with Asish Rai, remained effective as a provider with two assists to his name and scoring as many as well before MBSG's form took a hit for bad.

Naorem Mahesh Singh
International matches: 16
Goals: 3
AFC Asian Cup 2024 appearances: Maiden call-up

Adding to India's arsenal of attacking threats at the AFC Asian Cup 2024 is Naorem Mahesh Singh, who cracked into the national team for the first time last year as a replacement for injured Sivasakthi Narayanan. Deployed mostly as a left winger, the 24-year-old East Bengal footballer quickly made the position his own with his technical ability to beat his marker and provide telling crosses.

After winning his first international trophy at the Intercontinental Cup in Bhubaneswar as an integral member in June, Naorem Mahesh Singh scored his debut goal against Nepal in a dominant win during the SAFF Championships group stages.

However, his biggest international goal came against former Asian Champions Iraq during the Kings' Cup semifinal in Bangkok as the left-footed footballer showed his goal-scoring abilities with a first-time strike. India eventually lost the game on penalties after the scores were level at 2-2 at full-time.

His goals-scoring form continued in the season with two more for his club East Bengal, including a stunner from the edge of the box against FC Goa followed by a sublime finish against Bengaluru FC. With the two goals, the Manipur-born footballer has matched his tally of goals from the last season.

"He (Naorem Mahesh Singh) is a generational talent and we all firmly believe he is the upcoming star of Indian football," India's assistant coach Mahesh Gawli had said during the SAFF Championships in Bengaluru. "Noarem took no time to settle into the team and has been a valuable asset."

While only two of three forwards are likely to find a place in the starting 11 against Australia, there are other talented forwards in the Indian squad too, including versatile forwards Rahul KP and Vikram Pratap Singh, who open up more chances for coach Igor Stimac to play them in multiple positions as per tactical requirements while speed merchant Udanta Singh provides further options in the wide areas from the bench.

It's worth mentioning that Ishan Pandita is the only proper number 9 as a backup for Sunil Chhetri for the AFC Asian Cup 2024 but the Kerala Blasters forward didn't start any game during the tournament and failed to find the net in seven substitute appearances.