World Cup qualifiers, Afghanistan vs India Predicted XI: How Blue Tigers could line up against Afghanistan

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India have won one and lost the other of their last two World Cup qualifiers so far. With their win against Kuwait and defeat against Qatar, they are now sitting in 3rd place with three points. They are now determined to get two straight wins against Afghanistan.

It will be a tough job for the Blue Tigers considering their horrific run in the AFC Asian Cup this January. They couldn't win a single match and couldn't score a single goal in three matches. Additionally, their performances left a lot to be desired.

However, the Indian football team travelled to Qatar without a lot of key players due to injuries. Those players are now back for these coming matches and they should be a part of the starting XI except Sahal Abdul Samad. The 26-year-old sustained a fresh injury during the training session.

Head coach Igor Stimac could call up either Brandon Fernandes or Vikram Pratap Singh in his place. Considering the performance of both these players, Vikram should be the preferred choice for the attacking midfield position on the right side of the field.

Apuia Ralte and Jeakson Singh should be featuring alongside him in the midfield. The forward line should be led by the skipper Sunil Chhetri. Lallinzuala Chhangte and Naorem Mahesh Singh should be helping him in the attack beside him.

The defense can change to a great extent from the backline that played in the AFC Asian Cup. Anwar Ali missed that tournament with an injury. He will come back to the centre-back position against Afghanistan. However, this time, the Blue Tigers will miss his partner Sandesh Jhingan beside him.

Rahul Bheke should start again in Jhingan’s place. The coach should start Nikhil Poojary and Akash Mishra on either sides of the full-back position. On the other hand, even though Vishal Kaith has been amazing for Mohun Bagan recently, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the comfortably easy pick under the bar.

India Predicted XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Akash Mishra; Apuia Ralte, Jeakson Singh, Vikram Pratap Singh; Lallinzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri, Naorem Mahesh Singh