 "'Can't rely on a player who has crossed 40': Social media reacts as Chhetri excluded from Jamil's list for CAFA Cup")
Former India captain Sunil Chhetri has been excluded from the 35-man probables list for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 , as announced by new head coach Khalid Jamil on August 16, 2025.
The tournament is set to take place in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, starting August 29. No official reason was provided by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for Chhetri’s omission, and AIFF officials have directed queries to the head coach, who was unavailable for comment.
Social media reacts on Chettri’s exclusion
Given the legendary stature he holds in Indian football, Sunil Chhetri being snubbed from the probables list has sparked varied reactions on social media. Some users are immensely disappointed with the new coach for not mentioning him in the list, whereas some welcomed the decision, calling it a start of a new era.
Alongside Sunil Chhetri’s absence, Brandon Fernandes is also missing from the India's probable squad.
— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) August 16, 2025
Brandon has been directly involved in a majority of India’s goals over the past few years and has been one of the most creative midfielders in the setup. #IndianFootball
With all due resoect to Sunil chetri and his immense contribution in indian football, i fully support the decision made by our coach khalid jamil. We have to build up the pool of 30 players who can thrive for next 5 years and an average players age should be 26. (1/n)
— Pitam (@pitammaiti) August 16, 2025
Good decision but there is no proper striker in the squad who can replace him.
— Anuj (@Anuj_utkala) August 16, 2025
Suhail is in the under 23 squad and David,Edmund have not been picked.
No matter what, Sunil da had delivered for Indian football consistently for years n he should enjoy his retirement. Also CAFA matches are Friendlies. Somehow our men's football team have to find a goal scorer among themselves if they are passionate to qualify for Asian Cup.
— Vegeta অসম 2.0 (@30Kaju04) August 16, 2025
No Sunil Chhetri in Khalid’s plans, But Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Akash Mishra return to the Indian football team camp! 🇮🇳👀
— Sports.Claus (@sportsclaus) August 16, 2025
A 22-member squad has reported in Bengaluru for the senior men’s national team camp under new head coach Khalid Jamil, as preparations begin. pic.twitter.com/YKeyZTJxyH
💯 great decision.
— Harigovind (@Harijee_Here) August 16, 2025
We can't always rely on a player who has already crossed 40. He gave his best to the Nation and everyone will be thankful to him. Now we want to create another great player like Sunil.
No Sunil Chhetri in Khalid’s plans, But Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Akash Mishra return to the Indian football team camp! 🇮🇳👀
— Sports.Claus (@sportsclaus) August 16, 2025
A 22-member squad has reported in Bengaluru for the senior men’s national team camp under new head coach Khalid Jamil, as preparations begin. pic.twitter.com/YKeyZTJxyH
Chhetri, aged 41, had retired from international football in June 2024 after a match against Kuwait but returned in March 2025 at the request of former coach Manolo Marquez for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. He played four matches since his comeback, scoring once in a 3-0 win over the Maldives. India’s recent performances, including a 0-0 draw against Bangladesh, a 0-1 loss to Hong Kong, and a 0-2 defeat to Thailand in a friendly, have put their 2027 Asian Cup qualification in jeopardy.
It’s unlikely his exclusion was due to poor form, as he scored 13 goals in 26 ISL appearances last season, and finished the season as league’s second highest goal-scorer. Speculation surrounds whether Chhetri requested to be left out or was rested, as his club, Bengaluru FC, has not yet started pre-season training and recently suspended salaries for first-team players and staff due to uncertainties about the Indian Super League’s future.
India’s schedule for the CAFA Nations Cup 2025
India are placed in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup, and will face Tajikistan on August 29, Iran on September 1, and Afghanistan on September 4. The team has begun training in Bengaluru with 22 players, with the remaining 13 expected to join after their Durand Cup commitments. The AIFF has urged clubs to release players for this tournament.
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