World Cup qualifiers, India vs Afghanistan Predicted XI: Blue Tigers to line up strongest XI to ensure win

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India will be determined to win the return leg against Afghanistan at home on March 26. The Blue Tigers ended the last match in a 0-0 draw where their performance was not entirely impressive. However, they still managed to create a lot of attacking chances.

The Blue Tigers' defense was effective that was evident when Afghanistan's several good attacking chances couldn't find the back of the net. However, even so, coach Igor Stimac already said that he is not entirely happy with his full-backs efforts.

Hence, a few changes could be seen in the defense lineup at the start and throughout the match. Akash Mishra's performance has recently declined and the coach could start Subhasish Bose in his place in the left-back position. Nikhil Poojary should still start in the right-back position.

Anwar Ali and Rahul Bheke should still start in the centre of the defense line. Lalengmawia Ralte and Jeakson Singh should still start in the midfield. Whereas, Vikram Pratap Singh started in Sahal's place in the last game. However, his performance was inadequate.

He was taken off on the 60th minute and Brandon Fernandes was brought in. Hence, the coach could start Brandon instead of Vikram in the midfield alongside Jeakson and Ralte. The attacking lineup should remain the same with skipper Sunil Chhetri leading them.

This will be Chhetri's 150th appearance for the Blue Tigers. Additionally, India are determined to get a win in this match and Chhetri has a unique record of scoring in all of his 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, and 125th matches for India.

Hence, Chhetri will undoubtedly be leading the attack alongside Lallinzuala Chhangte and Naorem Mahesh Singh. The well-experienced 32-year-old Gurpreet Singh Sandhu should start under the bar.

India predicted XI:

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Poojari, Anwar Ali, Subhasish Bose; Lalengmawia Ralte, Jeakson Singh, Brandon Fernandes; Lallinzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri, Naorem Mahesh Singh