India Name Squad for New Zealand Tour While SAFF Runs in Dhaka, Veteran Goalkeeper Gurpreet Dropped

India have announced a 23-member squad for their tour of New Zealand while the SAFF Championship is under way in Dhaka. Head coach Khalid Jamil announced the squad on Friday (6 November) for the two-match friendly series.

Veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has not been included in the announced squad.

India will play two international friendlies against New Zealand on 12 and 15 November. The first match will be in Auckland and the second in Christchurch.

Three footballers playing in the SAFF Championship — Bijay Varghese, Muhammad Suhail and Liston Colaco — have been kept in the announced squad. As a result, they will play no further part in the ongoing SAFF in Dhaka. They will join the New Zealand tour under Khalid Jamil.

On the other hand, Farukh Chowdhury, Naufal PN and Himthanmawia Ralte have been released from the SAFF squad. They will return to their club, Mumbai City FC. Ronnie Kharbudon also cannot go on the New Zealand tour because of injury.

The Indian team will assemble in Bengaluru on 7 November. After training the next day, they are scheduled to leave for New Zealand that night.

Coach Khalid Jamil is hopeful about the two matches against New Zealand. He said New Zealand is also a team that has played in the World Cup and is a strong opponent, and that these two matches away from home will be a good test for India. He said they want to prepare well, play disciplined football and use the opportunity to improve as a team.

India's most recent international matches were in the September-October window. At that time they drew 1-1 with Panama but lost 4-0 to Brazil and 6-1 to Uruguay.

In the FIFA rankings, New Zealand is ranked 88th and India 138th.