'Why Sunil Chhetri Isn’t In Camp': Khalid Jamil Breaks Silence On Big Question

Last Updated:August 17, 2025, 17:23 IST

Coach Khalid Jamil has explained Sunil Chhetri's absence from CAFA Nations Cup camp, focusing on new players for Asian Cup qualifiers preparation.

Sunil Chhetri won't play in the CAFA Nations Cup (Picture credit: X @afcasiancup)

Indian men’s football team head coach Khalid Jamil has said that even while Sunil Chhetri is a role model for Indian football, he didn’t find a place in the Indian team camp for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup because this tournament is a preparation for the Asian Cup qualifiers and he wants to try out some new players.

It isn’t known whether Chhetri himself requested not to consider him for the Nations Cup, to be held later in August, or if he was rested as his ISL team Bengaluru FC is yet to begin pre-season training.

Bengaluru FC suspended salaries for its first-team players and staff, including that of Chhetri, because of uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League’s future.

“Sunil is a role model for Indian football and the door is always open for him. He isn’t there in this camp because we are playing a tournament, which will serve as a preparation for our Asian Cup qualifiers and I want to try out a few other players," Jamil said after his first training session with the team on Saturday, August 16.

“I talked with him about the same. It is always a pleasure to have a player like him in the team," Jamil added.

Chhetri took international retirement after playing against Kuwait in June 2024, but made a return for national duty in the game against Maldives in March after a request from the then India head coach Manolo Marquez to help the side in the Asian Cup qualifiers third round.

Chhetri has played four games since then and scored once, in the side’s 3-0 victory over the Maldives.

India drew Bangladesh 0-0 and lost to Hong Kong 0-1 in the Asian Cup qualifiers, leaving the nation in a tough position to qualify for the continental showpiece in 2027.

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First Published:

August 17, 2025, 17:23 IST

News sports 'Why Sunil Chhetri Isn’t In Camp': Khalid Jamil Breaks Silence On Big Question

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