India’s recent squad announcement for the upcoming tri-nation friendly series has once again highlighted a recurring issue in Indian football: the reluctance to call up young, in-form players.
While many nations like Spain, Brazil, and England are quick to promote young talent, India continues to hesitate.
Promising players such as Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Endrick have made early debuts for their national teams and have blossomed into key performers on the international stage.
Meanwhile, India’s approach remains conservative, as the team sticks with familiar names—often players who were once in form but are now struggling.
This hesitancy to promote young players has become a serious issue, especially in a country where youth development and competitive age-group football are still developing.
Players like Jithin MS, Vibin Mohanan, and Nikhil Prabhu have been performing brilliantly in domestic leagues, yet they remain ignored for national team duties, even for friendlies that serve as a platform for experimentation.
This reluctance is stalling India’s progress in football.
The international method
Countries with strong football cultures frequently promote young players to their senior national teams based on current performance, regardless of age.
Jude Bellingham has become a key figure for England before turning 20, while Lamine Yamal made his debut for Spain at just 16.
These young players are given the chance to showcase their talents in friendlies and less crucial matches, where they gain valuable experience before competing in major tournaments.
India, however, takes a more cautious approach.
Despite having several promising young players in the domestic leagues, national team selectors are reluctant to give them a chance.
As a result, these young talents miss out on important international experience, which not only hinders their development but also weakens the overall national team setup.
Manolo Márquez names 26 probables for Vietnam Tri-Nation friendly tournament.
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Anwar Ali, Aakash Sangwan, Subhasish Bose, Asish Rai, Mehtab Singh,… pic.twitter.com/flwNdZfyrf
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 30, 2024
A conservative approach hurting the team
Young players need international exposure to grow. Playing in domestic leagues is important but it doesn’t match the intensity or tactical challenges of international matches.
Without being given opportunities to play for the national team, young Indian talents are missing out on learning from senior players and adjusting to the demands of international football.
India lacks a well-structured youth league system and age-group competitions compared to countries like England, which have extensive youth academies that prepare players for the senior level.
Without such systems in place, the national team call-up becomes even more critical for player development.
Unfortunately, India’s conservative selection policy leaves many young players without the opportunity to gain this essential experience.
One of the most problematic aspects of India’s selection process is the tendency to favor players who may have performed well in the past but are currently underperforming for the national team.
At the same time, players like Jithin MS, Vibin Mohanan, and Nikhil Prabhu, who are excelling for their clubs, are still not getting called up— not even for friendlies.
The national team appears to prioritize experience over form, ignoring players who are currently at the top of their game. This not only affects the potential of the team but also demotivates young talents.
Friendlies are perfect for testing new players in a low-stakes environment.
These matches provide a valuable opportunity to introduce younger players to the national setup. However, India’s reluctance to experiment in friendlies is a missed opportunity.
Giving younger players game time in these fixtures would allow them to acclimatize to international football without the pressure of competitive tournaments.
One clear example of India’s failure to promote young talent is the current situation with the striker position.
After years of relying on Sunil Chhetri, the national team now struggles to find a consistent goal scorer following his retirement.
Chhetri was the backbone of India’s attack for over a decade, and now, with no young strikers adequately groomed to fill his role, the team faces a significant gap.
If young attackers had been nurtured and provided chances earlier, this transition could have been far smoother.
India’s reliance on senior players without creating a clear pathway for young talents could be damaging in the long run.
As the current generation of players retire, the national team may find itself lacking a pool of experienced young players who are ready to step up.
This could leave Indian football struggling to stay competitive internationally in the coming years.
The success stories of Bellingham, Yamal, Mainoo and Endrick offer valuable lessons for India.
These players have not only excelled at the club level but have also become important players for their national teams.
Their early introduction to international football helped them grow and become crucial parts of their national teams’ future plans.
What can India do
To address these issues and foster the development of Indian football, several key steps can be employed:
Encourage youth development programs: India needs to invest more in structured youth football programs and create a clear pathway for young players to progress from grassroots football to the national team. This includes enhancing youth academies, establishing age-group competitions, and providing access to high-level coaching that is crucial for nurturing talent.
Call up in-form players: National team selection should be based on current performance rather than past achievements. Players like Jithin MS, Vibin Mohanan, and Nikhil Prabhu, who are consistently performing well for their clubs, should be given opportunities in the national team. This merit-based selection process would not only boost the morale of players but also ensure that the national squad is built on players who are in peak form.
Utilize friendlies to test young talent: Friendlies are ideal opportunities to integrate younger players into the national team setup. India should use these matches as a platform to give promising talents a chance to experience international football.
By experimenting with young players in such low-pressure games, the team can build a stronger and more well-rounded a squad for future competitions.
Reduce reliance on senior players: While experience is valuable, an over-reliance on aging players can hamper long-term progress.
Coaches must find a balance between maintaining experienced players and giving younger talents the necessary exposure. Focusing on youth now will ensure a smoother transition when the current generation retires.
India’s hesitation to call up young players and a reluctance to blood in-form talent is holding back the growth of its national football team.
Ignoring players who are excelling in domestic leagues while continuing to select underperforming veterans is undermining the team’s potential.
If India wants to stay competitive on the international stage and improve its footballing future, it must embrace the promotion of young players.
By learning from the success of other nations, investing in youth development, and providing opportunities for emerging talents, India can build a dynamic, competitive national team that is ready for the challenges of the modern game.
The recent squad announcement, which overlooked promising young talents, should serve as a wake-up call to prioritize the future of Indian football.