India national team head coach, Igor Stimac announced that ATK Mohun Bagan midfielder, Deepak Tangri was included as a replacement for Ritwik Das for their squad for the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Das, who was named in the 26-member squad for the friendly against Jordan contracted chickenpox and will miss the qualifiers as a result. This gives Tangri the opportunity to impress in what is the first time he has been called up to the senior squad, having represented the India Under-20 and U-23 sides in the past.
“Ritwik Das was diagnosed with chickenpox recently, so we have brought in Deepak Tangri as his replacement. Deepak can play both positions in midfield, and as a central defender, where we actually prefer him,” Stimac said at a press conference.
Igor Stimac on whether the NT has settles down 🗣️ : “It would be better if we could have the same 20 players. But constant changes, injuries, make a coach’s job difficult. You need to change players and some tactical points, sometimes lose balance.” 1/2 ⤵️
— 90ndstoppage (@90ndstoppage) May 31, 2022
The Blue Tigers might also be without in-form striker, Liston Colaco who is still recovering from an injury as his absence could be a big blow for the side considering that he was brilliant for his club in the recently concluded AFC Cup – scoring a hat-trick in ATK Mohun Bagan’s 4-0 win over Bashundhara Kings.
“Liston had joined us with an injury after the AFC Cup – so that’s an area where we are looking into. He has done well with ATK Mohun Bagan, and he’s a player who can provide real quality in one-on-one situations, and also can pass well, and score,” he added.
India have been drawn in Group D alongside Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers and will start their campaign when they face Cambodia on June 8 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
