New Delhi: India head coach Manolo Marquez would hope Suhail Ahmad Bhat to alleviate his team’s scoring woes after picking the Mohun Bagan striker in his 28-member squad for an international friendly against Thailand on June 4.
It is the 20-year-old’s maiden call-up in the national set-up after initially being included in the list of probables who participated in a week-long camp in Kolkata.
Hailing from Srinagar, Bhat came into the national radar after scoring in successive Super Cup matches for Bagan.
#BlueTigers‘ 28-member squad for the FIFA Friendly against Thailand 🗞️
🇹🇭🆚🇮🇳
🗓️ June 4
🏟️ Thammasat Stadium, Pathum ThaniMore details 🔗 https://t.co/2A5KVnyo7Y#IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/vvYe97Z3yo
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) May 28, 2025
He was on target in Bagan’s 2-1 win over Kerala Blasters in the quarters and then again was in the scoresheet in their 1-3 loss to eventual champions FC Goa in the semis.
India brought back record-scorer Sunil Chhetri out of retirement but didn’t find the back in a goalless draw with Bangladesh to begin their AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign on a damp note.
Marquez would now Bhat provides the spark that is missing from his team’s front line against Thailand, which is India’s lone preparatory matcg before the Asian Cup qualifier against away in Hong Kong on June 10.
Anwar returns
The squad that flew out for Thailand on Wednesday also had the returning Anwar Ali, who had been out since February with a hamstring injury.
The East Bengal central defender last featured in a competitive game against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
After undergoing six training sessions, India played in two warm-up games on May 26 and 27, beating Santosh Trophy champions Bengal 2-1 and overpowering North 24 Parganas 3-0.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh.
Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Boris Singh Thangjam, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Abhishek Singh Tekcham.
Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu.
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte.
Head coach: Manolo Marquez
It is Suhail Bhat’s maiden call-up in the national set-up after initially being included in the list of probables who participated in a week-long camp in Kolkata. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
