The media release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF), announcing the 22 players who had joined
the preparatory camp in Bengaluru, was shared in the journalists’ WhatsApp group late on Friday. The list
needed to be cross-referenced with an earlier social media post from AIFF naming the 13 players yet to
report, to understand that Jamil was planning without Chhetri, who turned 41 on August 3.

With no official announcement regarding Chhetri’s status, it must be assumed he has been dropped—a rarity
in his 20-year international career, during which he has scored 95 international goals, trailing only
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among active players.

Although Bengaluru FC, where Chhetri has one year left on his contract, has not begun training due to
uncertainties about the 2025-26 season and has withheld salaries for players and staff, Jamil has
included six players from the club. They attended their first training session on Friday. On the same
day, Chhetri, recovering from a back injury sustained during a holiday, trained independently.

Manolo Marquez had convinced Chhetri to come out of international retirement, an announcement made with
fanfare on social media on March 6. However, Chhetri could not replicate his Indian Super League form of
14 goals and two assists—his best in seven seasons. In four appearances for India, he recorded just one
goal and no assists.

“It was risky, yes,” Marquez had told HT last month after stepping down as India head coach. “But we had
difficulty finding goals and he was scoring in ISL… Now, everyone might say it was a mistake, and I
have to accept that. But I don’t believe it was. He is a top professional, and I was very glad to have
him on board.”

The disparity in Chhetri’s form for his club and country could stem from various factors, such as the
caliber of players at Bengaluru FC or the differing levels of competition in the ISL and international
football. Nevertheless, based on last season’s performances, Chhetri remains fit and possesses the game
intelligence necessary for international football.

Just as it was Chhetri’s decision to make himself available, it is Jamil’s choice to focus on the future.
He has a two-year contract with an option for a third, and since Chhetri is unlikely to continue beyond
2025-26, Jamil’s decision to seek forwards for the future seems sensible.

Yet, in the absence of an official statement, all of this remains speculative. Could the AIFF have
arranged for Jamil to explain his decisions in the media release? Should AIFF consistently allow head
coaches to do so? Could Jamil have informed Chhetri personally? Should this communication have been
mentioned in the media release? The answer to all of these questions is “yes.”

After a grand farewell in June 2024, Chhetri may have needed some convincing, perhaps even disregarding
advice from his family, to represent India again. He has chosen to stay silent on this issue. What
implications does Jamil’s decision have for Chhetri’s international career? If this marks the end, does
Chhetri, as well as India, not deserve an explanation?