King's Cup 2023: Igor Stimac announces 23-member India squad; excludes Sunil Chhetri, Nandhakumar

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Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday (August 29) announced a 23-member squad for the King's Cup 2023 in Bangkok from September 7. The list prominently excluded skipper Sunil Chhetri, who was granted rest from international duties by the Croatian.

However, the same couldn't be said about the likes of Nandhakumar Sekar, Liston Colaco, Udanta Singh among midfielders, who were mostly used from the bench during India's back-to-back winning campaigns at home in the Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championships earlier this year.

Among other players missing out from the last squad are Rahul Bheke, Pritam Kotal, Rowllin Borges and Lalengmawia Ralte. The coach also handed maiden call-ups to East Bengal's new centre-back Lalchunnunga and Mohun Bagan right-back Ashish Rai.

There were some prominent returns to the squad as well, including Mohun Bagan forward Manvir Singh, who missed the last two tournaments due to injury and is likely to shoulder the responsibility of scoring goals in the absence of Sunil Chhetri.

Former U-17 World Cup player Rahul KP, who made his international debut last year, replaces his new Kerala Blasters teammate Ishan Pandita in the squad as the latter struggled with injuries with the national colours recently and then opted out of SAFF Championships as well, citing transfer movement.

Among prominent retention in the squad, Amarinder Singh will continue to be the back-up to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu between the sticks while senior centre-back Sandesh Jhingan, Mehtab Singh and Anwar Ali are the prominent names in defense. Attacking fullbacks Nikhil Poojari and Akash Mishra keep their places as well with Subhasish Bose kept in as more defensive-minded full-back.

Anirudh Thapa continue to be the main figure in the midfield with Sahal Abdul Samad, Jeakson, Suresh Singh in support while the wings have enough quality in Naorem Mahesh Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Lallinzuala Chhange.

India's 23-member squad for the 49th King's Cup 2023:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh.

Defenders: Asish Rai, Nikhil Poojary, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Lalchungnunga, Akash Mishra, Subhasish Bose.

Midfielders: Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Brandon Fernandes, Sahal Abdul Samad, Anirudh Thapa, Rohit Kumar, Ashique Kuruniyan, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Rahul KP.

Head coach: Igor Stimac.