Khalid Jamil names 23-player India squad for two New Zealand friendlies

India head coach Khalid Jamil named a 23-player squad for two away friendlies against New Zealand during the November FIFA International Match Window on Friday, November 6, 2026, with the team travelling to New Zealand for the fixtures.

The Blue Tigers will assemble in Bengaluru on Saturday, November 7, and will hold a training session on Sunday before departing for Auckland later that night. Farukh Choudhary, Noufal PN and Hmingthanmawia Ralte have been released from the SAFF Championship squad and will return to their club, Mumbai City FC, while Ronney Kharbudon will not travel to Dhaka due to an injury. Head coach Khalid Jamil said, “New Zealand are also a World Cup-playing nation and a strong opponent, and these two matches will be a good test for us away from home. We want to prepare well, play with discipline and use this opportunity to improve as a team.”

The 23-player roster includes three players who were named in Naushad Moosa’s SAFF Championship 2026 squad — Bijoy Varghese, Muhammad Suhail and Liston Colaco; they will not continue in the tournament in Dhaka and will instead link up with Jamil’s squad heading to New Zealand. The squad’s goalkeepers are Hrithik Tiwari, Som Kumar and Vishal Kaith. Defenders named are Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam and Roshan Singh Naorem.

Midfield selections for the tour are Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Jithin MS, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Lalrinliana Hnamte and Tomba Singh Haobam. The forwards called up are David Lalhlansanga, Edmund Lalrindika, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Muhammad Suhail and Ryan Williams.

India will face New Zealand on Thursday, November 12 and Sunday, November 15, 2026. The first friendly is scheduled for 11:30 IST at the Go Media Stadium in Auckland and the second for 08:30 IST at the One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.