India will be without forward Lallianzuala Chhangte in its National camp in Shillong and remains doubtful for the international matches in the March window, against Maldives and Bangladesh.
Chhangte suffered an injury while on duty with his Indian Super League (ISL) club Mumbai City FC and will not report to the national camp, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Chhangte, who won the ISL Shield in the 2022-23 season and the ISL Cup last season with Mumbai City, made played 23 times for the Islanders this season, scoring six goals and assisting two more.
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The 27-year-old had a season to remember in 2023 when he won three international trophies with India and was awarded the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year Award. He has been a regular for the Blue Tigers, who have not named his replacement yet.
India is scheduled to play a friendly with Maldives on March 19 before facing Bangladesh in its first third-round qualifier for the 2026 AFC Asian Cup.
Both matches will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, Meghalaya, with the venue hosting an international football match for the first time.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com