India vs Afghanistan, World Cup qualifiers: How many matches is Sahal Abdul Samad set to miss?

Add as a preferred source on Google

Sahal Abdul Samad is a key part of both the India and Mohun Bagan teams. However, even before he could take to the field for the Blue Tigers against Afghanistan, he sustained a hamstring injury during a training session.

They scheduled an MRI scan to get a better understanding of the injury. However, that didn't happen and the Indian football team has now travelled back to the country before the return leg. As per Anandabazar Patrika, Sahal has been released from his international duties.

Sahal Abdul Samad reportedly needs around 10 days to recover from the injury. He should be back to Kolkata as soon as possible for further work on his recovery. Many other Mohun Bagan players have already started training for their next ISL 2023-24 match and Sahal could soon join them.

However, 10 more days of recovery means that other than India's home match against Afghanistan on March 26 in Guwahati, Sahal will miss more matches for Mohun Bagan when the Indian Super League returns. For now, Sahal will miss the Mariners' home match against Chennaiyin FC on March 31.

Whether Sahal will be available for Mohun Bagan’s match against Punjab FC on April 6 or not will depend on his recovery. His absence has been and will especially be felt in India's coming match against Afghanistan. Coach Igor Stimac has the option of playing either Brandon Fernandes or Vikram Pratap Singh.

Vikram started in India's last match, but in an unfamiliar position in the left flank of the field. He seemed uncomfortable and even though his season with Mumbai City has been splendid, his performance was nowhere near his best for the Blue Tigers in the last match.

Vikram was taken off at the 60th minute of India's match against Afghanistan in Saudi Arabia. Brandon Fernandes came in at his place. Brandon didn't start the match with doubts to his fitness, but he could start in the coming match.