India to host 27th-ranked Russia in first friendly at Kishore Bharati Krinangan on Oct 8

India’s senior women’s team will play the first of two friendly matches against Russia at the Kishore Bharati Krinangan in Kolkata on Thursday, 8 October 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 6PM.

India arrive in Kolkata fresh from winning the SAFF Women’s Championship earlier this year and under coach Crispin Chhetri aim to carry that momentum into the Russia friendly. The Blue Tigresses began 2026 with a campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in which they lost all three group matches, then lost to Kenya in the 2026 FIFA Women’s Series semi-finals, before going on to win every match since that defeat. India are on a five-match winning run and have scored 21 goals across that sequence.

Russia, ranked 27th, have played four competitive fixtures in 2026 and recorded three wins, including consecutive victories over China in June 2026, and have brought a relatively strong squad for the tour. The visiting side are expected to test India with varied attacking rhythms and movement and will aim to maintain a compact defensive shape to manage the Blue Tigresses’ threat.

Crispin Chhetri will demand defensive solidity from his side and sharper, incisive attacking transitions to trouble the Russians and achieve a positive result. The build-up to the clash has been framed as important for India’s confidence: the home side’s staff view a victory over a prominent European opponent as a potential boost, while a heavy defeat could have a damaging effect on morale.

India will be without Aveka Singh and Manisha Kalyan for these friendlies, as both players have not been released by their clubs. The India squad listed in the preview includes Monalisha Devi (GK), Juli Kishan, Ranjana Chanu, Purnima Kumari, Shubhangi Singh, Priyadharshini Selldurai, Sangita Basfore, Sanifda Nongrum, Lynda Kom, Malavika Prasad and Sibani Devi.

Head-to-head between the teams stands with India Women wins – 0 and Russia Women wins – 2; Russia defeated India at the 2025 Pink Ladies Cup and have scored 10 goals in the two meetings between the sides. The friendly will be the first-ever international women’s match staged at the Kishore Bharati Krinangan and the organisers promoted the fixture with the message: "MATCH DAY! 🇮🇳 vs 🇷🇺!The Indian Women's team return to action as the Blue Tigresses take on 27th-ranked Russia in Kolkata for the first time tonight at 6PM ! 📍Kishore Bharati Stadium #IndianFootball #INDRUS #BlueTigress pic.twitter.com/3OKpdpifiL"

There is still no telecast information for the clash. For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.